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CAESAR; 



A DRAMATIC STUDY, 




By HENKY PETERSON, 

of " Tlie Modern. Job,'' " Peniberton," &c. 



PHILxVDELPHIA: 
. PETERSON A CO 

18 7 9. 



C^SAE; 



A DRAMATIC STUDY. 



IIvT FIYE ACTS. 



/ 

HEKEY PETEKSOJST, 

Author of " Tlie Modern Job," " P&uberton," dr. 



Act L Proscribed by Sylla. 
Act II, The Divorce of Pompeia. 
Act III. Crossing the Kubicon, 
Act IV. After Pharsalia. 
Act V, The Death of Caesar. 



1 -) 



X 



PHILADELPHIA: 

H. PETERSON & CO. 

1879, 






1 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, hj Henry Pktejs- 
SON, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



NOTICE. 

"Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic 
composition for wliicli a copyright has been obtained, without the 
consent of the proprietor, or his heirs or assigns, shall be liable for 
damages therefor; such damages in all cases to be assessed at such 
sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first, and fifty dollars 
for every subsequent performance, as to the Court shall appear to be 
just," — Revised Statutes of the United States, Section 4966. 



PKICR 50 CENTS, 



PREFACE 



The popular idea of Julius Csesar is derived from Shaks- 
peare's admirable play. Sliakspeare's conception of that 
great man's character was undoubtedly drawn from Plu- 
tarch. But recent historians have shown that there is another 
view to be taken of Csesar. The freedom which Brutus 
and the other conspirators sought, was more probably the 
right of the aristocracy to rule as it pleased, than the estab- 
lishment of those equal rights for all, which we term free- 
dom in the present day. 

I trust that I may not be deemed presumptuous in choos- 
ing the dramatic form in which to develope my conception 
of the character of Csesar, and of the cruel and licentious 
times in which he lived. Of course only a certain amount 
of success can be my justification. And yet I cannot fairly 
be blamed for falling far behind the great master of dra- 
matic literature. If his conception of Csesar is essentially a 
mistaken one, owing to his want of adequate historical 
information, it does not seem to me overstepping the proper 
line of literary modesty, for modern authors to attempt a 
more correct personation, even if they should not possess a 
tithe of the genius of Shakspeare. 

As to the question whether Brutus really was Csesar's 
son, I may briefly say that it was a common belief at Kome; 
and I think the weight of the evidence is in favor of that 
belief. Of course it is sufficiently probable to allow of its 
reasonable use in a drama ; which has the right to deal with 
history in a rather freer manner than the historian is com- 
pelled to observe. 

I may add that the murder of Koscius and the divorce of 
Pompeia are in their essential facts historical. 

The Author. 



CHARACTERS. 



Caius Julius C^sar. 

Cornelius A sage. Csesar's friend. 

Clodius A dissipated Roman noble. 

Sextus Friend and tool of Clodius. 

Mark Antony. 
Cicero. 
Cassius 
Brutus 

Decimus\ Conspirators. 

Cimber 
Casca 

Roscius A country gentleman. 

Chrysogonus Sylla's favorite freedman. 

Saculia A leader of the mob. 

Soothsayer. 

Aurelia Csesar's mother. 

PoMPEiA Cesar's wife. 

Calpurnia Csesar's wife, after the divorce of Pompeia. 

Abra , . . , Pompeia's maid. 

Senators, Citizens, Soldiers, Vestal Virgins, &c. 



CAESAR; 

A DRAMATIC STUDY. 



ACT I. 

PEOSCRIBED BY SYLLA. 

Scene I. — A Street in Borne. 
Enter two Citizens. 

First Clt Yes, you say riglit, neighbor — these are terrible 
times! Half the people in rags; and thousands living in 
cellars. 

See. Clt And yet there's plenty of money ; that is, for 
the nobles. They fling their silver about, as if it were 
copper or brass. 

First Cit. It's just as bad in the country, too. No man 
can live any more by honest labor in Italy. He has to sell 
his little farm, and join the rest of us beggars in the towns. 

Sec. Clt. Oh, that's because the great nobles with their 
gangs of slaves can undersell them. No free man will come 
down to a slave's long hours, and a slave's mean food, till 
he is absolutely forced to. 

Enter Saculia. 

SaciL How now, masters, what are you conspiring about ? 

Fird Cit. {Alarmed.) Conspiring ! We are not con- 
spiring. We are honest citizens. 

Sacu. You'd better be! There's a dozen more heads 
hanging in the Forum this morning. Old Mulberry must 
have had a bad dinner yesterday. 

First at. Old Mulberry? 

Sacu. Yes, old Sylla ! His face looks more like a mul- 
berry, sprinkled with white flour, than anything else. 
They say the reason his hair and his eyes are so red is, that 
he washes them in a bowl of fresh, warm blood every 
morning. 

Second Cit. Aren't you afraid to talk thus? Eemember 
that walls have ears. 

5 



b c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Sacu. Oh, I know you. You belong to old Marius's 
party. You are friends of the people. 

First Cit. We are honest, peaceable citizens, and do not 
meddle with political affairs. 

Sec. Cit. Yes ; they are above such as we are. 

Sacu. (Lavghs.) Oh, of course. But don't be afraid. 
Why you are not worth killing. Kovv if either of you had 
plenty of money — or a pretty house that some one wanted — 
or a pretty wife — why then I wouldn't give a drachma for 
his life from one day to another. But it is good to be poor 
sometimes. My head would have been off a month ago, 
only that my pockets are empty. {Looks L.) But who 
comes here? A countryman, I'll wager. Country people 
always walk like this — they are so used to stumbliug over 
clods and stones. {Mimics a coiuitrymaii — lifting his feet 
very high). Good morning, my worthy high-stepper — how's 
corn to-day ? 

Enter Roscius, L. 

Bos. Good friends, I am seeking the house of Tullius 
Magnus. Can you tell me the nearest way to reach it ? 

Sacu. What brings you to town ? If I were outside a 
wolfs den, I would stay outside. 

Bos. Magnus is my kinsman. Besides, he owes me 
some money, and wrote that if I would come to Rome, he 
should be greatly pleased to pay it. 

(Citizens smile. Saculia bw^sts out laughing.) 

Sacu. Show him to me ! Show me that man in Rome 
who wants to pay his debts! We will have him exhibited 
at the circus — and his statue erected in the Forum. Seri- 
ously, my good rural friend, more debts are being settled 
now with the point of the sword than in any other way. 
Are you rich ? 

Bos. Oh, no, not rich. But I have a very pretty little 
villa at Ameria. There is no harm in that, I hope? 

Sacu. There is infinite harm in it. See here, my friend — 
what do you call yourself when at home? 

Bos. My name is Sextus Roscius. 

Sacu. Well, my good rural friend Roscius, take a fool's 
advice. Put a day's ride between you and these streets of 
Rome as soon as possible. I know your dear cousin Mag- 
nus — and that he is often seen in company with Chrysogo- 



C.EBAE ; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 



niis, old Mulberry's favorite freeclmaii. Take a friend's 
advice, my dear high-stepper, and say good-bye to Rome. 

First OIL Yes, 'tis wise counsel. 

See. Cif. ISTuma couldn't have given better. 

Bos. You frighten me. But my cousin expects me. 
Besides, 1 have never before been in Rome, and wanted to 
see something of the great city. 

Saeu. If you had been here a few days since, you might 
have seen these streets of Rome spotted with bloody bodies. 
And now — if you stray as far as the Forum — you will see 
it strung around with human heads. It is a new style of 
ornament adopted in Rome of late. It's a head — if not a 
head and shoulders — above everything else, 

Eiiter Chrysogonus, with Guards, R. 

Chry. Clear the way, you miscreants ! What are you 
gathered here for? Planning new insurrections? Take 
care ! or Sylla's sword, after the grain is reaped, may sweep 
down among the weeds. 

Sacu. Weeds! well said, that! All Rome wears the 
blackest of weeds now. 

Chry. Who are you that speak so boldly ? Ah, Saculia, 
the leader of the mob ! Well, you're a licensed jester. My 
master likes a joke ; but still, take care! 

Sacu. Yes, old Mulberry knows a good joke when he 
hears it. What did he say to you the other day in the 
Forum, when he heard me call hitn old Mulberry? 

Chry. I asked him whether I should throw your head to 
the hogs. 

Saeu. Very kind and neighborly that, to be sure ! And 
what did Sylla answer ? 

Chry. That if we killed all the fools in Rome, there would 
be nobody left. 

Sacu. That's true. Even you wouldn't be left then, good 
Chrysogonus. (Citizens laugh.) 

Chry. (To First Citizen, fiercely.) And who are you, you 



o-rninm 



g cur 



First at I am only a poor shopkeeper. 

Chry. A poor shopkeeper — a very poor one, I should 
think ; who passes his time talking in the street, instead of 
attending to his business. And you complain of hard times 
too. (To Second Citizen.') And who are you? 

Sec. Cit. I am an armorer — and an old soldier also. 



8 C^SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

Chry. Well, you have plenty of business. Arms are 
always wanted. 

Sec. Git. Yes, my shop is swept clean at every fresh out- 
break, whether of people or nobles. 

Chry. That makes thy business lively. 

Sacu. Yes, his arms and armor go off very lively ; so 
lively that his customers generally forget to stop and pay 
for them. 

Chry. (To Bosciits.) And who are you ? 

Hos. I am a stranger in Kome. My name is — 

Sacu. (Putting him aside.) He is an old friend of mine 
— from Capua. 

Ros. (In surprise.) No ; I am from Ameria. And my 
name is Sextus Roscius. 

Chry, (Aside.) The very man! (To Roscius.) Well 
met, good Roscius. I know thy kinsman Magnus. He is 
to meet me this very hour in the Forum. 

Ros, Indeed ! I was going to his house. 

Chry. You had better come on to the Forum. Shall I 
tell him you are coming? 

Ros. Yes, if I can find some one to guide nie. 

Chry. (To Saculia.) Buffoon, thou wilt guide him. And 
play no tricks either on him, or me. You will not fail me, 
good Roscius? 

Ros. Oh no, I shall be there shortly. 

Chry. (To Citizens.) A.s for you, fellows — you come too. 
That you may see who's master now in Rome. 

(Exeunt Chrysogonus and Guards, L.) 

Ros. What great Senator is that? JMy cousin seems to 
ily high in Rome. 

Sacu. Great Sej^ator ! (Laughs.) Oh thou quintessence 
of rural innocence ! That is Chrysogouus, old Sylla's favor- 
ite freed man. 

Ros. A freed man ! 

Sacu. Oh, all kinds of fowls wear eagle's feathers nowa- 
days. Better have the ill-will of half the senators of Rome, 
than of old Mulberry's freed slave. And now, get thee 
home to Ameria as fast as thy old horse can foot it. 

Ro'^. AVhy I have just promised, as you heard, to meet 
my kinsman in the Forum. 

Sacu. Promised ! Wouldst thou keep a promise to meet 
a hungry tiger in his jungle ? 

Ros. Yes, if I had made it. Whatever may be the new 



CJE8AR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 9 

fasliion in Kome, he lias the word of an Italian gentle- 
man. 

Sacu. He means thee no good. I could see that in his 
faUe eyes, hear it in his false voice. 

Bos. Why, what harm can he mean me? I have lived 
quietly on my farm — have had nothing to do with politics 
— have taken no side, either with Marius or Sylla. 

SciGu. So said the innocent shaep to the wolf " I have 
never harmed thee," said the sheep. "I do not mean to eat 
thee because thou hast harmed me ; but because thou art 
fat," said the w^olf Go home, Roscius — secrete thyself for 
a while — and die in thy bed. 

Bos. I have given him my word — and I have harmed no 
one. Secure in my innocence, I fear no wolf in Rome. 

First Cit. Oh that old Marius were alive again ! 

Sec. Cit. All the old leaders of the |)eople are dead ; and 
none are left to fill their places. 

Sacu. Wait a while, and the young sprouts Avill grow. 
There is Marius's nephew, young Julius Csesar. He's got 
the right stuff in him, or I'm no judge of sword-fish. 

First Cit. What ! — -that idle, dissolute young Cassar ? 

Sacu. Wait a while. The fire is crackling and wavering 
yet ; but watch and see if before long, it does not begin to 
burn with a bright and steady flame. 

Sec. Cit. Ah, would we had a young man now like Tibe- 
rius or Cains Gracchus. 

Sacu. What, to be killed ofi" in a few^ years as they 
were ? We need something of wilier, sterner make to suit 
these times. But come, friend Roscius — it you really in- 
tend to keep your foolish promise. You'll see a sight in 
the Forum that will show you how the avenging Furies are 
raging now in Rome. Come — this way! Hold, one cau- 
tion ! When you get to the Forum, don't you either laugh 
or cry at what you see there. They killed one man for 
crying the other day ; and then, when another man laughed, 
they killed him for laughing. Come ! 

{Exeunt Saculia and Roscius, L.) 

First Cit. Let us go too. It is about the hour the new 
lists of proscription are posted. Whose turn comes next I 
wonder. - (Exeunt Citizens, L.) 



10 Caesar; a dramatic study. 

Scene TI. — The Forum. The Rostrum with a number' of 
human heads strung around it. 

Enter Cicero and C^sar. 

Cle. Oh, horrible sight! The noblest heads iu Eome 
Brought here to be the sport and ridicule 
Of a vile mob of freedmen and of slaves ! 

Cms. Who can say now it is the mob are cruel ? 
My uncle Marius I own, my friend, 
Was not renowned for mercy ; and his sword 
Stopped not its slaughter when the battle ceased, 
As swords of bi-ave men should ; but he was mild 
Asa young lamb, compared to this red wolf 
Who rages now in Rome. SyHa, thp pet 
And leader of the nobles! Sylla, chief 
Of those who proudly call themselves " the best I" 
Sylla, the beast, the wolf, the murderer ! 

Gie. Speak lower, Csesar. Know you not these stones 
Have ears ? For less — far less — than those few words 
Poor Lucius was condemned. 

Cms. Curses upon 

His red-eyed slayer ! If the assassin's blade 
Were ever rightful — 

Cic. Hush ! be careful, Caesar! 

You know he loves you not too well already. 

Cms. I ought to know. He took my priesthood too, 
Yesterday morn. 

Cic. That was because you failed 

To obey his will, and marry as he bade. 

Cms. Yes, we must marry now, as well as die, 
To suit the tyrant's pleasure. Did you hear 
The dowry of my w^ife was taken too ? 

Cic. Take care rhen, Csesar ; you'll have nothing left 
For him to take soon but your precious life. 

Cms. Four thousand men — the noblest souls in Rome — 
Men of the gentlest breeding ; scholars, statesmen — 
Five hundred Senators, the choicest spirits 
Of this our wretched time, all now lie low 
Beneath this butcher's sword. What was their crime? 
Because they loved the people — saw them ground 
Into the mire, beneath the cruel wheels 
Of the rapacious nobles — saw their farms 
Torn from their hands by either force or fraud — 



C^SAE ; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 1 1 

Saw the stout soldiers who had fought for Rome 
In scores of battles, turned iu their old age 
Out in the streets to die, as you would turn 
An old horse on the common — and, seeing this. 
Vowed they would make things better, and bring back 
The good Rome of our fathers, where no man, 
Honest and brave, could ever fail of bread. 

Cic. Beware, my friend, the Gracchi reasoned thus — 
And perished ! 

Cces. Yes, and from their sacred dust. 

Scattered in scorn upon this Roman air, 
A Marius sprang* — who did not bow his head 
So meekly to the butchers, but struck back 
With blows that make bad men remember yet. 

CiG. But now the luck is changed. Who are these coming ? 

Cces. Why it is Clodius. You don't like the man? 

Cic. Like him ! gay, reckless, idle, dissolute, — 
I wonder much that you can call him friend. 

Coes. Oh, I am not myself a paragon. 
My blood still runs too hotly in my veins. 
And yet I do not pride myself upon 
My want of strength, as our young nobles do. 
But Clodius, whate'er faults he may have, 
Has this one virtue, that he loves the people. 
For me I love all men who are my friends, 
And serve the people's cause. 

Enter Clodius and Sextus. 

Cio. Is that you, Csesar ? 

Bv all the gods who love a merry life. 
Why have you kept yourself so close of late ? 

Cms. Are these safe times to go much out of doors? 

Clo. Oh, if you once begin to think such thoughts. 
No pleasure's left in life. Life's dull enough 
Without our making it more dull by moping. 
You should have been with us last night. Oh, Phoebus, 
AVhat sport we had ! — had we not, Sextus mine ? 

Sex. In faith you may say that. For first we danced 
Until our legs gave out — and then we drank 
Until our throats gave out — and then we reeled 
Into the streets, and (sinks voice) broke from off their bodies 
Some of the prettiest marble heads in Rome. 

*"Th'^ mother of the Gracchi cast the flust of her murdered sons i^'to the 
air, and out of it sprun.o: Caius Marius." Miraheau. 



12 €Jf:SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

Clo. The statues, you know. It is the fashion now 
To take off heads in Rome ; and so we followed 
The fashion, Csesar. Was it not well thought ? 

Cces. Whose statues were they ? 

Clo. ^ ^ SomeoffatoldSylla, 

And some of Scipio, and other ancients. 
All were, however, of the other side ; 
For though it's no harm to be drunk, a man 
Should never be so drunk as not to know 
AVho are his friends. But where were you last night, 
My worthy Caesar ? 

Cces. With my mother, Clod ins. 

Clo. Oh no, my Csesar — that's too good a boy. 
If you had said, somebody else's mother, 
I might have thought it true. The fair Servilia — 

Cms. Pardon me, Clodius ! Think you are my friend. 
Servilia is old Brutus' honored wife. 
And we were boy and girl together when 
She married him, as ladies do in Rome, 
Because her father willed it. Not a breath 
Must touch her fame, spoken by friend of mine. 

Clo. Let it pass, Csesar. All my faith was lost 
In women years ago. And still I hold 
There are a few Lucretias left in Rome. 

Sex. (Laurjis.) Yes, that is true. There are four of us 
here ; — 
There are four virtuous women left in Rome, 
And each of us has one. As for the rest ! 

(He flings up his hands.) 

Cic. There was a time when, for three hundred years, 
In Rome's first days, no woman false was found, 
And no man false to woman ! 

Clo. Oh, great Bacchus ! 

Life must have been intolerably clull. 

Sex. No stabbings — no divorce — no jumpiugs o'er 
The garden walls ! I'm glad I was not born 
AVhen women were so good. .,. 

Cws. So am not I ! 

Oh, Cicero, had I breathed purer air. 
What might I not have been ? The fruit must grow 
])itter or sweet, as is the parent bough. 
'Tis in me to be noble. But, alas ! 



C.ESAE; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 13 

IMy friends must take young Csesar as the world 
Has fashioned him, nor blame too much his faults. 

Cic. Here comes Chrysogonus, with the red list 
Of the proscribed. AYere it not safer, friends, 
To leave at once? For no man here can tell 
AVhether or not his fated name is down 
Upon the tyrant's blood-roll. 

Clo. I'll not run, 

Like a scared rat. Ev'n Sylla will think twice 
Before he lays his hand upon a Claudius. 

Cms, Nor I. Sylla can do no more than Fate 
Allows him. Caesar was not born to die. 
Before his time, like some poor village boy. 
Fear not, my friends, for Destiny has arms 
Stronger than Sylla's. 
Enter, R, Chrysogonus ivlth Guards — and goes to the Ros- 

trmn. Guards range themselves. Enter also, L, Sacu- 

LTA, Koscius and Citizens. 

Chry. (Ascends Iiostrum.) The list of the proscribed is 
short to-day. 
Great Sylhi's heart is growing merciful. 

Saeit. (Aside.) Just as a man grows tired of eating, when 
He's had a pig or two. (To Chry.) Bless his kind soul ! 
Chrysogonus produces a scroll, and begins to read. 

Chry. (Beads.) "The following citizens are doomed to 
death. 
All persons are forbid to harbour them. 
Or give them food or shelter, under pain 
Also of death. AVhoever brings the head 
Of either of them to the Capitol, 
Shall have for his reward ten thousand drachmas. 
Witness my seal. 

Sylla the Fortunate, 

Dictator of the World." 

Clo. (Aside.) There's modesty ! Now let us hear the 
names. 

Chry. (Beads.) " This is the list of the proscribed : — 
Quintillus Publicola, Lucius Aurelius, 
And Sextus Roscius of Ameria." 

Bos. (Horror-struck.) Not I ! not I ! I have no enemies. 
I take no part in politics. Good friends, 
'Tis a mistake ! Some other man is meant. 



14 CiESAR; A DRAMATIC STUDT. 

CiiUYSOGONUS descends from Bostnnn, and. draivs his swoi'd. 
Guards inclose Roscius. 

Chry. Thou liest, knave! Thou art a secret plotter 
With all the vilest elements of Rome. 
What dost thou here in company with curs 
Like this Saculia — this leader vile 
Of The vile mob — whom we let live awhile 
Only because his life's not worth the takiuo;? 
AVretch ! Thou shalt die at once. Don't be a child ! 
Die at least like a Roman. 

Bos. Save me, friends ! 

(Breaks through Guards, and flings himself before Ccesar 
and his friends.) 

Pave me, great Senators ! There's some mistake. 

I know there is. I take no part in plots. 

I am a simple farmer of Ameria, 

Come here to see the city, and collect 

A debt that's due me. Save me, Senators ! 

Cms. There must be some mistake, Chrysogonus. 
This man is not a plotter. Hold thy hand, 
Till Sylla's will is known ; and hold him too, 
That he may not escape. Have pity, man ! 

Chry. And dare you, Csesar, interfere between 
Great Sylla and his victims ! Know^ you not 
The fearful penalty for shielding those 
Who are proscribed ? This man's an arrant knave. 
I know him to be guilty. 

Sacu. (Aside.) Not a doubt 

He's guilty of possessing something nice 
That this Chrysogonus wants — the cruel wretch ! 

Chry. Back, plotter ! lies can now no longer save thee ! 

(He seizes Roscius, and drags him hack among the Guards.) 

Cce^s. (Starts forimrd.) Now, by the eternal Gods ! 

Cic. Be calm, my friend, 

Put not yourself in peril. See you not. 
You can do nothing now? If wrong is done. 
The laws of Rome will some day right the man. 

Cms. The law can never bring the dead to life — 
Once life is gone, then comes eternal night. 
I cannot stand and see the innocent 
Thus slaughtered 'fore my eyes. 



C^SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 15 

Clo. Patience, my friend. 

We can do nothing now. When our turn comes, 
A\^e then can take due vengeance for this wrong. 

Ros. No one will help me ? Oh, my wife, my child ! 
Why did I enter this accnrsed Rome ? 

Chry. What, and you dare blaspheme ! Take this I and 
this ! {Stabs Roscius.) 

Bos. (Falls.) My wife! my child ! (Dies.) 

Chry. (To Guards.) Ten thousand drachmas more, my 
boys ! These times 
AVill make us all as rich as Midas wa«. 
For all that we touch, too, with the sharp points 
Of our good swords, turns straightway into gold. 

Clo. Well, are the day's diversions over now. 
My good ChryBogonus ? If so, we'll go. 

Ckyy. By no means. The best part is yet to come. 
There was one name that I forgot to read. 

Goes en Rostrum, and takes vj:) list. 

That name — it is the last and yet the greatest — 

Is Caius Julius Caesar! . What think you — 

Does not the play grow prettier towards the close? 

(Clirv. and Guards lavc/h.) 
Cces. (Staiis.) Ha! 

Clo. (To Ca^s.) Rush for your life! Sextus and I will 
block 
The soldiers' way. Fear not for us, but go ! 

(Cicero fcdls aivay a little from Caesar.) 
C'lc. Do not resist the law, my friend. Be sure 
That soon or late the law will do you justice! 
I'll 2:ive my life to that! 

Cces. (Smiles grimly.) Thanks, Cicero ! 
But where shall I be then ? I was not born 
To die by a slave's sword. 

Chrysog. and Guards approach with drawn swords. 
Chry. (Holds out point of sword to Cces.) Here is my 
sword. 
Most noble Csesar. Will you run upon it? 
You hear the doom of Sylla. Being a Roman, 
You do not fear to die. 

Cces. When Marius 

Was fleeing from his foes in Africa, 
A slave like thee, Chrysogonus, one day 



16 CESAR; A DIIAMATIC STUDY. 

Menaced Lis breast Avith liis uplifted steel. 

" Who art thou," cried the hero, "that dost dare 

To raise his hand 'gainst Cains Marius !" 

And now I ask, How dar'st thou, graceless wretcli, 

To menace me, great Marius's nephew ? 

Chry. I know that I am nothing of myself. 
But I am everything as Sylla's arm — 
Sylla, to whom great Marius was a child. 
Prepare to die, then, Ciesar, 't is thy fate. 

Cces. ( Calndij ) I have no thought of dying in this hour, 
My pert Chrysogonus. The Augurs said, 
AVhen I was priest of Jupiter, that death 
Should never touch this frame, till I was sworn 
First Consul. More, they said the man that slew me 
Should not survive my death over three days. 

Clo. I'll take my oath on that ! 

Sacu. And so will I ! 

Cces. I judge the Augurs knew that I had friends 
Who would not suff-r such a wretch to live 
More than three days. What good is money then, 
When thou canst not enjoy it ? 

Chry. But my duty 

As vSylla's officer. That must be done. 

C(£S. Can Sylla's warrant pluck thee from the tomb ? 
Thou seest now, it is not quite so small 
And li^ht a thino; to hunt and kill a Csesar. 
— What are you wolves to get for killing me? 

Chry. Ten thousand drachmas ! 

Cms. What ! no more than that ! 

No more than for a common, worthless knave ! 
Ten thousand drachmas only for a C?esar ! 
Sylla is growing mean ! Why I will give 
Five times ten thousand drachmas as a gift 
To you and these brave soldiers, who no doubt 
Have flown our eagles on a hundred lields 
From Parthia to Spain. 

(Chrysogonus looks at Guards, ivJio nod asseid.) 

Chry. Give me the money ! 

And for to-day, count thyself safe from us. 
To-morrow, we will hunt thee, yea or nay. 

(CiESAR takes out tablets and ivrdes on one.) 

Cces. Take this to-morrow to my mother's house, 
And she will pay you. 



cjesar; a dramatic study. 17 

Chry. AVhat security 

Have you to give we shall uot be betrayed ? 

Clo. I will secure it you. 

Cois. No, thank you, Clodius. 

The word of Csesar is enough iu Rome, 
And they shall have no other. What, thou slave, 
Dost thou pretend to talk to Caius Csesar 
About security — as if he were 
Some vile usurer ? Know that Csesar's word 
Once broke, Csesar is dead — more truly dead 
Thau if his heart were cloven with your swords ! 
Take this, and hand it to my mother — she 
Will pay you every drachma of my bond. 

( Chry. takes it) 

Chry. (^To Guards.) A good day's work, my noble vet- 
erans. 
Mark — fifty thousand drachmas — sixty in all ! 
Csesar, to-morrow, we will hunt and kill thee. 
And earn ten thousand more — if Pluto wills. 

Cces. Fair warning is it, good Chrysogonus ! 
I give thee warning too. The time will come 
When I shall stand in this red Sylla's place. 
Then thou shalt plead for mercy. Mark me now! 
I will not spare thee, though thy wife and mother 
Beseech me on their knees. Thou and thy scum 
Of slaves and freedmen all shall surely die! 
For while you live you outrage Gods and men. 
Come on, my friends. My time is precious now. 

(^Exeunt.) 
End of Act L 



A DRAMATIC STUDY. 



ACT 11. 

THE DIVOKCE OF POMPEIA. 

Scene I. — A Street in Borne. 

Enter Saculia. 

Scicii. (Looks around.) Well, things look natural cDOUgh 
again in Rome. One might think the whole city would go 
to the dogs, just because he had left for awhile. It's curi- 
ous how the w^orld always manages to get along so well 
without us. 

Enter First Citizen. 

Hallo, neighbor! — glad to see you're still kicking this 
dirty old earth with your stampers. 

First OIL Why, Saculia, Avhere have you been ? I've not 
seen you for many a day. 

Saeu. No, I suppose not. In fact I thought after that 
affair iu the Forum, I had better retire to one of my 
country houses for awhile, as the other big bugs do. I 
thought the weather w^as getting rather too w^arm in Rome. 

First at. Ah, that was a very sad affair — that murder 
of poor Roscius. But there's one good thing — his son has 
got the property i)ack again. 

Sacu. Yes, I heard that Cicero had prosecuted Chrysogo- 
nus, and got the property back. There's some good left in 
the lawyers yet — if you'll only pay them big enough fees, 
and elect them to all the fat offices. 

First Git. I suppose when old Sylla died, you thought you 
might come back again. 

SoLGiL Oh, I was in no hurry. I rather liked the coun- 
try. That old wretch Sylla — did you ever hear how he 
died? 

First Cit. I suppose in the usual w-ay — shortness of breath, 
or something of that sort. 

Sacu. Yes, that's true. But one of his slaves told me all 
about it. What with his feasting and drinking, and his 
loose women, he grew rottener and rottener every day. Un- 
til at last he was fairly eaten up by worms. They washed 
him three times a day, but 'twas no use — they couldn't keep 



Caesar; a dramatic study. 19 

him clean of the lice and worms. Fit end, wasn't it, for 
such a bloody old tyrant? I tell yon, my friend, the phi- 
losophers may say what they choose, but the Furies, with 
their whips of Scorpions, aren't all dead yet. 

First Clt. No, indeed, neighbor — we couldn't get along 
well without them. A man may be too rich and strong for 
the laws in this world, but at the end of life, he will have 
to meet the Furies. 

Sacu. And Csesar is back too, I hear ; — Praetor and Pon- 
tifex Maximus, and carrying all before him. Plurra for 
Caesar, the friend of the people ! But good day, neighbor ; 
I have a host of old friends to see. Ah, are you going my 
way? {Exeunt, L.) 

Enter Clodius and Sextus, it. 

Clo. Oh, the beautiful Pompeia ! AVhat else did Abra 
say ? 

Sex. She said that Pompeia would give you an mterview 
this evening — if you had the nerve and daring to attempt 
it. 

Clo. Nerve! daring! Thou told'st her Fd stop at noth- 
ing, short of meeting her in Csesar's presence? That I own 
is more than I'd like to do. There is something in Caesar's 
eyes when he is roused, that even I, Sextus, do not alw^ays 
care to meet. 

Sex. And yet a little spice of danger makes an adventure 
all the pleasanter. 

Clo. Of course — of course ! I really believe it is because 
Pompeia is so jealously guarded — as if she were the golden 
fruit within the gardens of the Hesperides — that 1 so long 
to kiss her sweet lips. But how shall w^e manage to evade 
that terrible mother-in-law ? Dear Sextys, tell me how. 

Sex. To-night you know is the great festival of Bona 
Dea — that mysterious goddess brought from the East, 
which it is the ruling fashion now for all our great ladies to 
worshi|). 

Clo. Oh yes, but they will not allow a single male — mar- 
ried or unmarried — to remain in the house wliei e their mys- 
terious rites are carried on. 

Sex. Would you not like to witness those rites which are 
kept so secret ? 

Clo. Indeed I should. The whole thing is outrageous. 
It is an insult to every man in Rome. Ot course we men 



20 Caesar; a dramatic study. 

do not care that our wives should have their little mys- 
teries ; — it is the keeping them from their husbands that is 
so unwifely and abominable. But how, Sextus? Some of 
these ladies, it is said, carry poniards on such occasions — 
and would not hesitate to nse them too. And it is bad 
enough to be killed, without being laughed at afterwards as 
the man that was poniarded by a pack of crazy women. 
They'd soon have it in the Forum that I had been pricked 
to death by the women's knitting needles. 

Sex. Abra has planned all that. You must go disguised 
as a woman. Not every man could do that, Clodius, — but 
you could. 

Clo. I think I could. I tricked some ladies famously a 
year or so ago, dressed in my sister's garments. 

Sex. You must not speak though. Your voice would at 
once betray you. Remember that ! 

Clo. Oh, mum's the word. But how shall I see Pompeia ? 

Sex. You enter boldly. Abra will be near the door. 
She will lead you as soon as she can get an opportunity to 
Pompeia's own sitting room ; where, as soon as possible, the 
fair dame will join you. By Venus, I wash it w-as myself, 
and not you, my Clodius. 

Clo. It is well planned. I'll try to find out too, wdiat 
those secret rites are that the ladies of Rome are so fond of. 
I hope that I shall not meet Csesar, though ; his keen eyes 
would see through my disguise at a glance. 

Sex. He w^ould be angry enough to kill you. 

Clo. Not at all. You do not know C?esar. His marriage 
with Pompeia w^as merely a matter of policy. Besides, I 
am too necessary to him ; for any moment he may break 
with Pompey. He has great plans to rejuvenate old Rome, 
and will allow no private griefs to come between him and 
his purpose. 

Sex. Well, it is worth some risk to meet so fine a w^oman ! 
Do you go this morning to the Forum ? 

Clo. No, I must go and make ready my attire. My sister 
will think it the best of sport to help me, and trig me out 
as a grand Roman dame. Good day. 

Sex. Good day — and Venus give you luck ! 

(Exeiuit B. and L.) 



C^SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 21 

ScEKE II. — Hall in Ccesar's house (the palace of the Pon- 
t'lfex Ilaximiis.) 

Enter Aurelia. 

Aure. We mothers of Rome scarce dwell a day in peace. 
What man in Rome, worthy the name of man, 
But bears his life in daily, hourly hazard ? 
Rome slaughters always those who love her best, 
And strive to make her prosperous and great. 
Thus fell Tiberius and Caius Gracchus, 
Cornelia's brilliant jewels. What their crime? 
Only they loved the people — pitied the poor — 
And sought to curb the .selfish greed of gain 
Of Rome's proud nobles, so the poor might live. 
And now my Caius steps the self-same path, 
I trust with firmer tread. He is a noble ; 
But, as the nobles say, false to his order. 
Yes, false to them, but true to heaven and Rome ! 
But it is time he came. Ah, that is he. 
Enter C^sar. 

Coes. My noble mother ! (Kisses her.') 

Aure. My Caius ! Thou art late. 

Cces. Yes, state afi^airs pressed more than usual. Ah, 
Sometimes I wash I were a villager. 
And had no thought save of my pigs and cows. 
It is no pleasure, mother, to rule men. 
They are more obstinate than pigs or cows. 
And far more apt to turn and gore their ruler. 

Au7-e. Men were not born for pleasure ; but to w^ork 
The will of the great gods. Each in his place, 
Where they have put him, finds his destined task. 
He cannot shun that task and be a man 
Worthy the name of man, much less of Csesar. 

Cces. 'Tis true, my mother. I have not forgot 
Thy noble teachings. But the task sometimes 
Seems doubly harcT. , No matter. This is folly. 
Where is Pompeia ? 

Aure. She seems vexed to-day. 

Why didst thou give that costly pearl of thine. 
That pearl unmatched in Rome or in the world, 
To Brutus' wife, Servilia ? Was't well done, 
My Caius ? All the drawing rooms of Rome 
Are babbling over it. 



22 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Cc(^s. Let the fools babble ! 

Aure. I ask again, Was it well done, my Cains? 

Cw^. If any other tongue in Rome had put 
That question to me, I would turn and say 
It ivas well done — and bid them hold their peace. 
Thou art my mother ; and I bow my head, 
As when I was a boy, here at thy knee. 
And say : 'Twas not well done — nor fitting Csesar. 

{Sits doivn at his mother' s feet.) 

Aure. I pain thee, Caius. But, my noble son, 
I wound as surgeons do, only to heal. 
That pearl of thine Servilia '11 wash with dew, 
And lay it in the sun, to make it glow 
With added lustre. Thou ray pearl art, Caius ! 
I have no jewel but thee. And I would wash 
Thee with my tears, and hang thee in the sun 
Of heaven's great eye, if so thou might'st become 
Purer and nobler ev'n than thou art now. 

Cces. Bear with me, mother. Gems sometimes have flaws 
That go down to their hearts. You can outroot 
The fatal flaw only by shattering 
The gem to pieces. 

Aure. Is it so bad as that ? 

Goes. We marry now in Rome, not whom we love, 
But whom we must. That is the great lords do, 
Who seek for poAver to spoil or save the state. 
Pompeia is Pompey's cousin as you know. 
Servilia married by her father's order, 
Old Marcus Brutus. Thus we give our hands, 
Both men and women, as ambition wills. 
But hearts are different things, and will not be 
Thus coldly given to order. And I love 
Only one woman in Rome. 

Aure. And her name is ? 

C(ES. Servilia. 

Aure. Still it was not wise, my son, 

To set all Rome thus talking. 

Cces. 'Twas unwise. 

Yet they had talked, and talked, till they were hoarse, 
Of that affair already. Besides, where all 
Are guilty, who can have the face to peep 
Into his neighbour's windows, and make mouths. 
Without himself accusing ? All are the same. 



Caesar; a dramatic study. 23 

Ev^'ii Cato, who aspires to lead the van, 
Aud be a moral pattern to all Ron->e, 
Has given, you know, his wife unto his friend, 
Though she has borne him children. Aud, mark this — ■ 
If ever his friend should die, and leave her rich, 
Your virtuous Cato '11 take her back again ! 
Ah, times have changed, my mother, since the day 
When Manlius was banished from the Senate, 
For kissing his wife before his daughter's eyes. 
The bow thus drawn too tight, has since then broken. 
But where's Pompeia ? I wish much to see her. 
Aure. Well, here she comes. 

{Enter Pompeia slowly. She takes no notice of C^sar, but 
goes to one side.) 

Cces. Pompeia, I've a word 

To say to you. 

Pom. Say on ! About pearls perhaps ? 

Cces. {Frowns.) No, of your maiden, Abra. 

Pom. What of her ? 

Does she not please my lord ? I'll try to find 
A fairer maiden for him. 

Cces. Cease this jesting ! 

Abra was seen last night in company 
With Sextus Claudius. It is not fitting. 

Pom. Why, is he not a friend of Clodius ? 
And is not Clodius a close friend of yours ? 

Cces. He is a tool of Clodius — and therefore 
If Abra meet him, it but gives the vile 
A chance to slander you. 

Pom. To slander me ? 

How can that be ? Could Caesar's wife meet harm 
From Caesar's friend ? Csesar must have poor friends, 
To harm his wife. Were it not well, my lord, 
You chose such friends, women as well as men, 
As slander on such poor and paltry grounds 
Could not assail and cling to ? 

Cces. We demand. 

And rightly, purer lives from women than men. 
Men bear the brunt of war, the toils of life ; 
A thousand ills assail them daily, which 
You ladies of high rank are shielded from. 
Your part in life is simply to direct 



2i CAESAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

Your households, live in peace in pleasant homes, 
And make yourselves as happy as you can. 
One thing, in due return, is all we ask : 
That we may warm no serpents at our hearths. 

Pom. I'll give you, Caesar, a sure recipe, 
By which you may insure a virtuous wife 
To every man in Kome. 

Cces. And what is that ? 

Pom. Let every man be virtuous ! 

Cces. True, Pompeia ! 

And virtuous wives will bring that time about. 
It is the woman's task to set a mark, 
Which she first reaching, shall hold out her hand 
To aid the man to strive for and attain. 

Aure. Pompeia, having heard your wish, will see 
To Abra's doings, Csesar. 

Pom. (Aside.) You old dragon ! 
I'll do as I please- — as I have always done — 
And as the other Roman ladies do. 
If he divorces me — why, all the better ! 
I'd like another husband. Tullia 
Is not as old as I, and she has had 
Three husbands now already. 

Aure. Have you remembered, Csesar, that to-night 
Is the grand festival of Bona Dea ? 

Not a male soul, be he or young or old, \. 

Must stay Avithin this house. The vestal virgins, 
And all the noblest ladies of our Rome 
Will take part in the holy mysteries 
With which we worship the Good Mother of all 
This fruitful earth — from whose abounding womb ^ 

Spring fruits and flowers and all the precious grains, 
And w^omen and men-^perhaps ev'n the great Gods ! 

Cces. I've given strict orders. No one shall profane - 
Your sacred mysteries. I will myself 
Be near at hand, in case some scoffing cur 
Of these irreverent times, should dare disturb _^- 

Your pious rites with his blasphemous tongue. 

Aure. Thank thee, my son. And now I judge, Pom- 
peia, 
Our evening meal is ready. Shall we go ? 

'Cces. I am quite ready, too. I'll lead thee, mother. 
Pompeia will excuse me ? 



CJ5SAR; A DEAMATIC STUDY. 25 

Pom. With pleasure, Csesar. 

(^Aside.) There go the male and female dragon ! Bah ! 

{Exeunt CiESAR leading his mother by the hand. Pompeia 
following.) 

Scene III. — Passage in Clodius's house. 

Enter Clodius, Abra and Sextus. Clodius in female 

attire. 

Clo. {To Abra.) The beautiful Pompeia then still wishes 
me to come in spite of Csesar's suspicions ? 

Abra. Oh yes ; she thinks it only adds to the sport. 

Sex. If he finds it out, he will divorce her. 

Abra. She doesn't care. She says there's as good fish in 
the sea as Csesar. 

Clo. Thou'rt a pretty minx. {Kisses her.) 

Abra. You'd better keep your kisses for my mistress. 
She's not had many of late. Csesar's as cold as an icicle. 

Clo. The wretch! But I've got plenty for you both. 
For since I got these feminine garments on, I feel just the 
same passion for kissing that all women do. I don't think 
I can keep from kissing all the women there — even to the 
vestal virgins. 

Sex. Pray, my Clodius, do not touch the vestals. That's 
a burning matter, you know. Shame on such old supersti- 
tions ! 

Clo. Oh, I'll let the sacred vestals alone. Half of them 
are as sacred as parchment cheeks and a bad breath can 
make them. But how do I look, Abra? Will I pass 
muster ? 

Abra turns him around — and inspects him critically. 

Abra. Keep down your head and your eyes. Your dress 
is all right. Stay — I'll fix this. 

Clo. Oh, hold on ! — you're hurting me ! 

Abra. That's of no consequence — so you look right. No 
woman cares how much she hurts herself, when looks are 
in question. Now let me see you walk. 

Clodius walks — taking long strides. 

Abra. Not such big steps. Go mincing along, so. 

{Shows him. Clodius imitates her.) 
Clo. How will that do ? If I had only thought of tying 



26 C^SAR ; A DEA]^1ATIC STUDY. 

my legs together with a strap, it would have kept me in 
mind. 

Abra. Oh, you'll do pretty well. jSTow, can you keep 
your mouth shut ? 

Clo. I don't know. Since I've been made a woman, I 
feel prodigiously like talking all the time — whether I have 
anything to say or not. 

Abra. Bah! Women can be quiet enough wdien they 
wish to. Not a man in Rome knows what goes on at the 
women's worship of Bona Dea. 

/Sex. That's true, Abra. It's wonderful — very wonderful 
— but it's true ! Even I don't know. 

Clo. I'll tell you to-morrow, Sextus. 

Sex. Half the men in Rome are dying to know. And so, 
if you are found out, they will all be disposed to shelter you 
from punishment, as an unlucky soldier in a good cause. 

Abra. Well, I must go. I'll be on the watch for you. 

(Exit Abra, L.) 

Sex. If Csesar should divorce Pompeia, why then you can 
marry her. 

Clo. Hem ! not exactly ! In truth, while I like spices as- 
a condiment, I should not like to make my whole dinner 
of spices. Besides, Sextus, while I am not exactly a pat- 
tern of propriety myself, I think I should rather like my 
wife to be a pattern. 

Sex. Oh, of course, that's human nature. 

Clo. Yes, it's natural. Come this way, Sextus. This is 
the kind of woman I mean to marry. 
{Exit, B., 'primly— followed by Sextus — both laughing.) 

Scene IV. — Hall in Cesar's Palace as before — but lighted 
and decorated for celebration. 

Enter Aurelia a7id Pompeia. 

Aure. Are all the inner chambers ready ? 

Fom. Yes, 

They all are decorated for the rites. 
And the white doves are panting for the knife. 
Where's Abra ! Have you seen her ? 

Aure. She came in 

Just now in haste. She gads too much, Pompeia. 
Speak to her sharply. 

Po7n. That I will, good mother. 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 27 

{Calls.) Abra! 

Enter Abra. 

What mean you, Abra, by this gadding ? 
{Takes her one side.) 
Will he be here? 

Abra. By Venus, you may think so ! 

He is as mad with love as a spring sparrow. 
He's in over his head. A pretty dame 
He's made himself — ev'n handsomer than his sister. 

Pom. I'll eat him, pretty boy ! Bring him at once 
Into my parlour. You will find me there. 
I've locked it, to keep curious meddlers out. 
(To Aurelia.) I go to see that all is right within. 

(Exit Pompeia.) 
Aure. Ah, here they come. 

Enter Procession of .Vestal ViRGiisrs in white, with tapers 
in their hands, headed and attended by Priestesses in 
black ; and followed by Roman ladies. Procession marches 
around the hall singing. 

Song. 

Bona Dea ! gracious mother ! 

Low we worship at thy shrine. 
Hear our prayers, oh Bona Dea, 

Goddess holy and divine ! 
While we heap upon thy altar, 

Bread and fruit, and flesh and wine. 
Hear us, goddess, lest we die! 
Hear us, goddess, lest we die ! 

Bona Dea ! grant us women 

All our hearts are keen to know. 
Gracious mother ! men are cruel, 

We lie tramjDled, crushed and low ! 
Bona Dea, be thou near us, 

In our hours of bitter woe ! 
Hear us, goddess, lest we die ! 
Hear us, goddess, lest we die ! 

Exit Procession, singing, into inner chambers of Palace. 

Aure. Follow the ladies, Abra. They may need thee. 
I will stay here, and welcome those that come. 



28 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Abra. My mistress bade me not to leave this place ; 
And left a message with me. 

Aure. And I bid 

That thou shouldst go within ! 

Abra. (Aside.) I must at once 

Go to Pompeia, and despatch her here, 
Or there'll be trouble. (Exit Abra.) 

Enter Clodius in dress of Roman lady. Aurelia looks 
at him sharjoly, and apiwoaclies him, but he evades her. 

Aure. That looks like Claudia — Clodius's sister ; — 
And yet a trifle tall, and somewhat older. 
No, it's not she ! 

Clo. (Aside.) By Mercury, and all unlucky gods ! 
There's the she-wolf that guards the sacred fruit ; 
But where is Abra? Has she played me false? 

Enter Pompeia. She glances at Clodius, and then goes to 
Aurelia. 

Pom. Dear mother, I will now relieve thy charge. 
Our friends will miss thee at the sacred rites. 
Aure. In a few moments I will join them there. 

(She still observes Clodius.) 
(Pompeia goes to Clodius.) 

Pom. Ah, Claudia, is it thou? I will conduct 
Thee to the inner rooms. (Aside.) Take shorter steps ! 

Enter tivo Priestesses from within. 

First Priestess. Aurelia, we await thy coming. All 
Is now prepared to make the sacrifice. 

(Aurelia steps before ClodiuS') 
Aure. Why, Claudia, is it thou? How strange thou 
look'st. 
What is the matter? 

Po7n. Claudia has taken a vow she will not speak 
Till these great rites are over. Come, my dear. 

They take a few steps — Clodius forgetting himself, and tak- 
ing long strides. 

Aure. That is not Claudia. Claudia walks not thus. 
Ah, now I know her. That is Clodius. 
Clodius ! Pompeia ! Shame upon you both ! 



CJ5SAE; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 29 

First Priestess. A man! a mau! Treason! oh sacred 

goddess ! 
Sec. Priestess. A man ! a wolf ! ( To Pompeia.) Oh, shame- 
less woman thou ! 
False to thy husband — falsest to thy sex ! 

Enter Abra. Also Vestal Virgins, with ladies, in alarm 
and indignation. 

Aurelia. {To Ahra.) Go tell thy master that I wish his 
presence. {Exit Abra, reluctantly.^ 

Sec. Priestess. Behold the traitor and her paramour ! 
Who dare profane the rites of Bona Dea ! 
{To Clodius.) Blasphemer, death by fire were far too good 
For thy deserts ! 

First Priestess. Make an example of him I 
Let's sacrifice the w^retch upon the altar 
Of mighty Bona Dea ! Let him feel 
That Roman matrons can avenge their wrongs. 
Without the aid of men ! Come, sisters, on him ! 

The Priestesses pull out daggers. All gather around Clo- 
dius, and pidl his false hair off, and tear his garments. 

Clo. Bless me, fair ladies, but your claws are sharp. 
Be off, you cats ! Come now, have mercy ! What I 
You'll spit me with your daggers ? No, by Pluto I 
That goes too far. Aurelia, will you see 
Me murdered 'fore your eyes by these she-tigers ? 

Aure. I have sent word to Caesar. When he comes 
He doubtless will protect you. Could he tell 
That you were Clodius till your borrowed plumes 
Were stripped from off your bold, audacious front ? 

Clo. Oh I'm not anxious that your son should know 
To whom he is indebted for this rumpus. 
It's not Pompeia's fault, but mine. She thought 
I was my sister Claudia. 

First Priestess. Oh, of course ! 

{All the ladies laugh.) 

Pom. Laugh on, you hussies, so it pleases you. 
Clodius is wrong. I knew him from the first. 
But, in my woman's heart, I could not think 
To bring dishonor on my husband's friend, 
Ev'n though his impious prying into rites 
With which he'd naught to do, deserved all blame. 



30 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

I meant to lead liirn off— tell him I saw 
Through his disguise — and send him liome in peace. 
You, mother, with your folly, spoilt my play, 
Marred our great rites, and placed a brand of shame 
On your son's wife, aad on our noble house, 
Which were I chaste as Dian would not out. 

Aure. I hope thy story's true — upon my soul ! 

First Priestess. I know her story's false — upon my soul ! 
If there's a wanton left in Rome, 'tis she ! 

Pom. (To First Priestess.) Thou'lt never be a wanton ! 
Wouldst know why ? 
No man in Rome would play at kisses with thee. 

Clo. A blind man might, Pompeia. 

Po7n. Not if he had 

A nose ! 

First Priestess. The curse of Dian on you both, you 
strumpets ! 
But here comes Csesar, he will see through you. 

C^sar enters with Abra and attendants. 

Cces. What means this scene of wild confusion ? Peace ! 
As Rome's great Pontifex I must command it ! 

(Looks at Clodius.) 
Why Clodius, my friend, and is that thou? 
(Laughs.) Is it a male or female costume, that 
Which hangs so airily about thy limbs? 
Art masquerading as a Vestal Virgin ? 
A better part thou surely couldst not play ; 
And yet a man's attire becomes thee better. 

Clo. Laugh on, great Csesar. As I've lost the game, 
Of course I'll pay the forfeit. Curse these cats, 
They've nearly stripped me. Please now cut this short. 
Order things as thou wilt. And yet one word — 
Blame not thy wife, for she is innocent. 

CcBS. Of course my wife is innocent. For she 
Is Caesar's wife, and thus could not be false. 
And thou art Caesar's friend, and could not be 
A secret foe to Csesar. Let that pass. 
But thou hast outraged all the women of Rome, 
By thus profaning their most sacred rites 
In honor of their goddess BonaDea! 
The Courts must judge what heavy penalty 
Is meet for such a crime. 



c^sae; a dramatic study. 31 

Clo. That is all right. 

{Aside.) Rome's Judges nowadays are ever for sale; 
Just like so many steers within their stalls. 

C(ES. For thee, Pompeia, thou art innocent ; 
So Clodius says ; and so full well I know. 
But Csesar's honored wife must ever be 
Far more than that. Not only innocent ; 
She must not be suspected. Here I tear 
Our marriage bond to pieces. (Produces and tears bond.) 

Take her keys, 
Aurelia, emblem of her wifely state. 
Divorced I now declare thee. 

Pom. Take your keys ! 

Now, Csesar, you can marry meek Calpurnia ; 
Whom you love better than you e'er loved me. 

Coes. To-morrow, so it please thee, fair Pompeia, 
Depart for thine own home. Take with thee all 
Thou brought'st to Csesar, all that he has given. 
Aurelia, see she goes in fitting state. 
As one who once was Caius Csesar's wife. 
Within my chariot, guarded by my slaves, 
Her purse well filled with gold. 
Come, Clodius, now we will withdraw, my friend, 
And let the sacred rites go peaceful on. 

End of Act II. 



ACT III. 

THE PASSAGE OF THE EUBICON. 

Scene I. — Night Moonlight. Open country. The small 
river Rubicon. 

Enter CiESAE, Antony, Cornelius and Soothsayer. 

Cces. 'Tis a sweet night. How quiet all things seem ! 
The moonlight sleeps upon the dreamy earth. 
As if no tumult e'er could break its rest. 
Oh, peaceful earth ! oh, patient, meek-browed earth ! 
Sad mother of the whirlwind and the storm ! 
— Is that the Rubicon ? 



32 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Cor. It is, my lord. 

Cces. 'Tis a small stream to bound so great a world. 
Is there a ford ? 

Cor. The ford is just below. 

Cces. What is the hour ? 

Cor. 'Tis nearly midnight now. 

Cces. Still 'tis to-day then. And then comes to-morrow. 
And after that, what then ? Cornelius, 
My heart is heavy — for I dreamed last night 
A foul, unnatural dream. 

Cor. What Avas't, my lord ? 

C(ES. A dream that frights me yet. I dreamed I raised 
This hand of mine in open, impious strife 
Against my honored mother, who now dwells 
Among the gods — if death does not end all. 

Ant. Dreams are but phantoms, Csesar, born of care 
And the unruly mind. They are but fumes 
Of bodily excess — of fevered brains — ■ 
And all which throws the system out of tune. 
Thou art a sage, Cornelius ; is it not 
As I have said ? 

Cor. Doubtless 'tis often thus. 

Dreams oft are merely memories of the past, 
Marred and confused. 

Cms. Your words no doubt are true, 

My worthy friends — and yet not all the truth. 
The Mount of Wisdom lies halfway between 
The gulfs of Unbelief and Superstition ; 
And I am well assured the immortal gods 
Oft visit men in sleep, and mostly so 
Those who are favorites ; and with whose lives 
The destinies of nations are inwove. 
And thus my dream affrights me. Does it say, 
Cross not the Rubicon ; Rome is thy mother ? 

Cor. Thy mother would not seek to take thy life ! 
Thou dost not menace Rome, but those who tear 
Our Rome to pieces with their crimes and lust. 
Thou goest to save thy mother from the hands 
Of those who would outrage her. 

Ant It is truth. 

Hast thou not offered them the hand of peace, 
And have they not refused it with stern scorn ? 
Why was I forced to fly, save as thy friend, 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 33 

Disguised, and iu the night ? Go on to Rome, 
Unguarded by thy legions, — and the fate 
That Clodius met, that fate will soon be thine. 
There is no choice. Meet force with force, or die 
At the proud feet of Pompey. Then, perhaps. 
Thy friends may save their lives by bending low 
At Pompey's knees, and telling how they sinned 
In loving Caius Csesar. But I have done. 

Sooth. In virtue of my ofiice, I declare, 
Great Cgesar, that thy dream has other purport 
Than thou wouldst place upon it. Rome, indeed. 
Is thy great mother. If within thy soul. 
There lurks a thought to do that mother wrong. 
By mean ambition, selfish lust of power, 
Desire to wreak thy vengeance on her sons. 
To be, in one short word, another Sylla, 
Then cross not that small stream, but quick disband 
Thy legions ; dying, if need be, a man. 
But if thy aims be pure — if thou to Rome 
Wilt be as a deliverer and restorer — 
A champion of the poor, now trodden down 
Beneath the feet of spoilers — and a foe 
To all that now corrupts and harms the State — ■ 
Then go on boldly, and, in the great name 
Of Jupiter the Mighty, I invoke 
Upon thy head, the blessing of the gods ! 

( Outspreads his hands, as invoking blessing.) 

Cces. This deed once done can never be undone. 
Think not I hesitate because I fear 
Aught for myself — my thoughts are all of Rome ! 
I draw a sword now that I ne'er can sheathe. 
Till I or Pompey master all the world. 
Therefore I pause. That little stream once passed. 
The die is thrown ! — We cannot take it back. 
Oh, that the gods who feel for human woe, 
Who love the right, and execrate the wrong, 
Would stoop from high Olympus to make known 
The course these feet should take. Could I but know 
Their sovereign will, at once would I obey, 
Nor care if death and ruin were my doom. 
— Ha ! what is that ? 

(An Apparition appears on the other side of the Bub icon, 
and beckons to him slowly. It then disapjpears.) 
2^ 



34 CJ5SAE; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

Didst see it, Antony ? 
Arrayed with sword and shield like mighty Mars ! 

Ant In faith I did. It seemed to beckon, " Come !" 

Sooth. It w^as a phantom sent by the great gods, 
In answer to thy prayer. It bade thee '' Come !" 

Cces. "Come?" Yes, by Hercules ! Cornelius, 
What dost thou say to that ? It is the will 
Of the immortal gods ! 'Twere sacrilege 
Longer to pause, when they have marked the way. 
I doubt no longer. All my path is clear, 
As if my eyes could pierce this gloom to Rome. 
Let us go on. Led by triumphant Mars, 
We cannot fail to scatter all our foes. 
Our force as yet is small, but Caesar's name 
Will bring recruits by thousands. Pompey says, 
He need but stamp his foot upon the ground, 
To raise an army. I'll try stamping too ; 
And see whose stamp is most eifectual. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess. My lord, your faithful Gaul sends me to say, 
That it has raised some twenty cohorts for you. 

Cces. (^Laughs.) They hear my stamp in Gaul already 
then ! 
Enter another Messenger. 

2c? 3l€ss. Caesar, I come from the army of Domitius. 
The soldiers bade me say they would desert 
His standard in a body, when you came 
Within sight of their eagles. 

Cms. Ha ! Antony ! they hear my stamp there too ! 
Aye, we will cross the Rubicon, and lead 
Our swelling forces straightway into Rome. 
Before wise Pompey wakes up from his sleep. 
Our troops shall camp before the seven-hilled town. 
I long to cross that stream, and break at once 
With all my enemies. And so they thought 
I would disband my legions — bare my neck 
To Pompey's sword, and yield up all my friends 
To slaughter and to pillage? By the gods. 
What do they take me for ? Or more, or less. 
Than mortal man ? Haply, they'll find me more. 
Midnight is past ; and daylight lies before. 

(^Exeunt all.) 



35 



Scene II. — A Fuhlic Place in Borne. 

Enter Cassius and Cicero. 

Cass. They scamper off like rats before the cat. 
To-morrow there'll not be in all this Rome 
A dozen Senators. What's Pompey doing? 

Cic. He's still at Capua — so Brutus says. 

Cass. Aye, still enough, I warrant. Where's his foot- 
That foot whose stamp upon the ground he said 
Would raise an army ? Now he has the sword 
That old Marcellus gave him with such pomp. 
And bade him save the State, why does he stand 
As if 't would use itself? What does he mean — 
To fly from Italy, and leave Rome bound 
At Csesar's footstool ? 

CiG. It would seem so, truly. 

Cass. Well, follow you the crowd ? Or will you stay 
And meekly bend the suppliant knee to Csesar? 

Cic. What do you say, my Cassius ? Is it wise 
To seek one's safety in a general wreck ; 
Or go down like a hero with the ship ? 

Cass. The ship will not go down — unless its crew 
Desert their oars, and quail before the storm. 
Shall we, the best of Rome, allow this Csesar — 
This creature of the mob, to beard the Senate, 
Scoff at its orders, give up to the rabblS 
The public lands, divide the public treasure. 
The spoils of war, among the common herd ; 
And strip the nobles as the Gracchi would 
Had not their lives been shortened ? Cicero, 
Are you a Senator, and have a doubt 
As to your duty ? 

Cic. If we win, what then ? 

Cass. Imitate Sylla ! Cut the foul weeds down. 
He stopped too soon, or now we should have peace. 
Ev'n when he pardoned Csesar, he cried out, 
" 'Tis weakness — for there's many a Marius 
In that rebellious youth." 

Cic. Yes, either way, 

Ctesar or Pompey, lies a path of blood. 
Yet Pompey is my choice, as well you know — ■ 
As one it seems must rule. Alas, the reii>:n 



36 

Of Law and Justice seems now dead in Kome. 
But here comes Brutus. Let us hear him first. 

Enter Brutus. 

Bru. Why do you linger here? The rumor goes 
That Caesar's troops are closing in around us. 
To-night I leave for Capua and Pompey. 

Cass. Has Cato gone ? He surely will not stay ? 

Bru. My uncle Cato went some days ago 
To Sicily, whose safe defence has been 
Intrusted to his care. 'Tis a grave task. 

Cic. But thou art safe. Thou hpst no need to fly. 
Csesar's thy mother's friend ; and will be thine. 

Bru. But he is Cato's foe — and more, the foe 
Of Rome and Freedom. I can ne'er forget 
I am a Brutus. While a Brutus lives, 
No king can reign in Rome. So, it is said, 
The oracle replied, when asked how long 
Great Rome should flourish. When do you go forth, 
My worthy Cassius ? 

Enter Saculia and Citizens. 

Saciu Ah, here's a party of them. Have you heard 
That Csesar's near at hand ? Ah, Cicero, 
You are a trimmer, aren't you ? Pray, which side 
Of the fence art sitting now, Csesar's or Pompey's? 

Cie. Peace, babbler ! Learn to reverence the men 
Whom the wise gods have fitly placed above thee. 
To know one's place — that is a piece of wisdom 
That ev'n a fool may have, and be no fool. 

Sac'U. Hast on thy breastplate, Cicero? The one 
Thou worest in the Campus Martius, 
When we poor voters were to be dismayed ? 
Put it on now — perhaps 'twill frighten Csesar. 
'Twould gladden Pompey's heart, to see that breastplate 
Come shining down the road to Capua ! 
He'd know the battle was half won already. 

Cic. Saculia, thou Avert better far employed 
In mending rents in togas, than in making 
Sad rents in the fair state. Go, get thy needle ! 
And I'll give thee a job. My robe is torn. 

Sacu. And thou, smooth Cicero, wert better employed 
In pettifogging out the eyes of Justice, 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 37 

To save some guilty knave, than hatclnng plots 
AVitli two such traitors as these ! 

Cass. Traitors, you scura ! 

Go to your cobbling, to your mending of soles ! 

Fi7"st Cit I'm not a cobbler — but I can cobble you. 

{Menaces Cassius.) 

See. Cit I'm not a mender of bad soles, young Brutus ; 
But I can mend your soul, and manners too. 

{Menaces Brutus.) 

Sacu. {Interfering.) Come, come, good citizens, this would 
not please 
Great Csesar. For he wishes no disturbance. 
Go on your way, proud sirs — there may be those 
Not far behind, more difficult to manage. 

Cass. Come, Brutus, let's get out of this cursed rat-hole. 
We'll come back soon, each bearing a good whip. 
Come, Cicero ! you see they need a master. 

{Exeunt Cassius, Brutus and Cicero.) 

Sacu. (-Calls after them.) You are near-sighted, Cassius — 
better take 
Cicero's arm — he'll keep you out of rat-holes, 
Cicero, how much are vetches nowadays ? 
Your father was a gardener, I've heard. 
And famous for his vetches. So they called 
Him Cicero ! Brutus, your worthy father 
Was a Plebeian, and no more descended 
From the great Junius Brutus, than I am 
A son of Hercules. A curse on them ! 
Talk of their blood ! The best they have is stolen 
From us Plebeians, and the rest's as thin 
And weak and watery as milk that's skimmed 
Three mornings over. " Blue " — of course it's blue, 
From so much skimming. 

First Cit. As for that Brutus, he's not even the sou 
Of his own father — so the gossips say. 

Sec. Cit. Whose son is Brutus then ? 

First Cit. Why, he's his — mother's. 

Sacu. That much is mostly certain. You have heard 
The story too ? I'd think so, if his heart 
AV^ere softer, and he loved the peo|)le more. 
Come, let us on unto the Forum. Csesar 
May be in Pome at any moment now. {E.veunt.) 



38 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Scene III. — The Forum in Rome. 
Enter Sextus, folloived by Chrysogonus. 

Chry. Dost think, brave Sextus, that Caesar is Dear at 
hand ? 

Sex. He moves like lightning. He may be now at the 
gates of Kome, for all I know. Then comes our turn again. 
I wouldn't give a pea-pod for the heads of those who way- 
laid and murdered my dear Clodius. 

Chry. Thou knowest I had nothing to do with that, 
Sextus. 

Sex. I know thou say est so. 

Chry. I swear to thee I had not, Sextus. I might have 
seemed to dislike him — but it was all seeming. If there 
was a man I admired in Rome, it was Clodius. Such 
manners! Such an example to all the young men! No- 
body could toss off' a goblet of wine as he could. 

Sex. No ! nor wink at a woman. Ah, he's gone — and 
left no equal behind him. 

Chry. Dost think it safe for me to stay in Rome, now 
Csesar is in power? 

Sex. Of course it is. Stay by all means. 

Chry. But he said he would not spare me — if ever he got 
the upper hand. 

Sex. Words ! words ! what does an eagle care for a cater- 
pillar? He will not even recognise thee when he sees thee. 

Chry. I think so too. Yes, I will stay. Thank thee, 
Sextus, for thy good counsel. 

Sex. {Aside.) The villain ! Csesar will know him at a 
glance. And punish him for that Roscius affair, and a 
dozen other murders. 

Enter Cassius, Brutus and Cicero. 

Cass. ( Goes to Sextus.) Is there late news from Csesar ? 
Tell me, Sextus. 

Sex. Cassius, thou didst me once a kindness. Hear ! 
Csesar may be in Rome within an hour. 

Cass. Is't really so ? 

Sex. True as thou art alive. 

Ciss. (To Cicero and Brutus.) The tiger's at the gate. 

CIg. What meanest thou ? 

Cass. Caesar's at hand. We have no time to lose. 
Wilt thou go, Cicero ; or wilt thou stay ? 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 39 

Thou hast thy choice, but no one can do both. 
Thou art too great a man to be allowed 
To take no side, but wait the side that wins. 
Thou stayest here — then thou art Csesar's friend, 
And Pompey's enemy. Thou goest with us ; 
Then art thou Caesar's foe, and Pompey's friend. 
Make up thy mind — thou hast no time to lose. 
Come, Brutus ; we will leave the Southern gate, 
Caesar will enter from the North. Farewell, 
My Cicero. We'll say we left thee halting. 
Just like the ass in the old fable, 'twixt 
The rival stacks of hay. 

Btu. Before we reacb 

The Southern gate, thou'lt surely glad our hearts 
By joining us, good Cicero. For thou hast 
Too great a name to fling it like a pearl 
Into the mire beneath a tyrant's feet. 
Thou owest a debt to coming centuries, friend. 
Such men as thou should live not for one age, 
But all the ages. 

OiG. Brutus, thou art right. 

I'll hesitate no longer. Where the best 
Of Rome's sons gather, is the place for me. 
If Rome can yet be saved, Pompey's the man. 
We all remember how he met the foe 
When Mithridates, hot child of the sun, 
Streamed forth from Pontus o'er Bithynia, 
And on our Asia laid his conquering arm. 
But we must hasten, for this Caesar moves 
As on the wings o' the wind. Let us to Pompey — 
And then to Greece, to Asia — where he will. 
AVliere we are is the Senate, and where that, 
Were it the depths of Afric, there is Rome ! 

{Exeunt, R., Brutus, Cassius and Cicero.) 
Enter, L., Saculia and Citizens. 

Sacu. Ha, Sextus ; what's the latest news from Caesar ? 

Sex. Caesar is near at hand. See how the nobles, 
Those heroes of the fish-ponds, fly in fear 
At sound of Caesar's tread. 'Tis well they haste — 
His speed is like the lightning's. 

Sacu. Yes, and when 

The lightning strikes, why then we shall hear thunder. 



40 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

(Foints to Chry.) What does that knave do here ? 'Twould 

serve him right, 
To send him to join Roscius. 

Sex. Peaceful now. 

Leave him to Csesar. Caesar saw it all ; 
And he has a long memory. 

A flourish of trumpets without. 
Sex. Here he comes — 

Like Mars or Jupiter ! Hurra for Csesar ! 

Sacu. Old bull-neck's coming! Hurra, my boys, 'tis 

Csesar ! 
Cits. Hurra for Caesar ! 
Chry. Hurra for Caesar ! 

Amid the cheering, enter C^sar, Antony, Cornelius and 

Soldiers. 

Cces. Thanks, my good friends ! Your welcome back to 
Rome 
Is sweet to me, as to the mariner, 
Who long has buffeted the angry waves, 
The sight of land and home. Ah, my good Sextus, 
The sight of thee is pleasant. Clodius I heard, 
Was slain by villains. 

Sex. Welcome, mighty Caesar ! 

Hadst thou been here, my Clodius had not died 
By traitors' hands, because he loved the people. 

Chnj. AVelcome, great Caesar ! Say but thou the word, 
We'll take revenge on Clodius' murderers. 
Tear down their houses — spoil and burn and slay ; 
As Sylla did when he was uppermost. 

Cces. And who art thou that giv'st such fiery counsel ? 

Chry. Chrysogonus, my lord ; who once belonged 
To savage Sylla. But the kindly gods 
Have shown me how I erred ; and now I swear 
To live and die by Caesar and the people. 

Cces. It is well sworn, Chrysogonus — for thou 
Shalt surely die by Caesar and the people. 
Thy hands are crimson with the blood of Roscius. 
Dost thou remember what I promised thee. 
If ever power were mine ? Swords here, my guards ! 

Two soldiers step forward with bared sivords. 
Seize ye that villain ! No, profane not steel 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 41 

With his base blood. Take him and hurl the wretch 
From the Tarpeian rock ; that Kome may know 
That Justice reigns once more within her walls. 

Chry. Mercy, great Csesar ! Mercy ! 

Cms. Mercy for thee 

Were cruelty to Rome. Off with him, men ! 

( Guards drag off. Chrysogonus.) 
That ends the list of my proscriptions, Romans. 
Shall we who hated Sylla tread his path ? 
I have not come to Rome to slay, my friends. 
I've come to heal and pacify the State. 
Who strikes a needless blow does Csesar wrong. 
I hear that Rome's deserted of the nobles, 
Flying in fear. Would they had stayed to learn 
From Caesar's lips how kind his purpose is. 
( To Sextus.) Has Cato gone ? 

Sex. He fled a week ago. 

Cws. And Cicero ? He knows I love him well ; 
My old schoolfellow. Does he also fly, 
As if I were a Fury ? 

Sex. Till to-day 

He seemed to hesitate ; but then he went. 
Brutus persuaded him. They went together ; 
Along with Cassius. 

Cces. (Agitated.) What, Brutus gone ! 
AVhy, Pompey killed his father ! It must be false. 
Brutus would surely stay, and learn of me 
What are my plans. 

Sex. He's set his life of late 

After the mould of Cato's. 

Cces. Foolish boy ! 

Cato's a dreamer ! For he talks and acts 
As if we lived in Plato's feigned Republic, 
Instead of this most complex one of Rome. 
Some men, my Antony, are like fair fields. 
Which oft grow weeds in sheer luxuriance, 
But also grow rich grains. While other men 
Are narrow, dry and sterile, like a cave. 
Which bears no weeds, but also bears no fruit. 
And Cato is a cave. — When did they leave ? 

Sex. Not half an hour ago they all were here. 
They soon could be o'ertaken and brought back. 
They have so little vantage. 



42 CESAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

Caes. Antony ! 

Take horse and overtake tliem. Bring them back ! 

Ant. Csesar, I will. Dead or alive, I'll bring them. 

Cces. No, harm them not. If Brutus will not come, 
Why, let him go. Mind that thou harm him not ! 
Upon thy life I charge thee ! 

Ant. Fear not me ; 

I'll be as tender with him as his nurse. (Starts to go.) 

Cces. On second thought, we'll let them go in peace, 
And so they will, my Antony. Let them go ! 
They will be wiser men when they come back. 

Ant. So be it, Csesar. (Aside.) Caesar is afraid 
To trust his darling Brutus in my hand, 
Lest I should squeeze too hard. And so I would, 
By Bacchus! 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess. Csesar, I bring thee word from Capua. 
Pompey has sailed for Greece — perhaps for Asia. 
He bade me say he would not talk with thee. 
Save with his sword, upon the fateful field. 
He bids thee to dismiss thy numerous legions. 
Obey the Senate, come to him in Greece ; 
And then he'll use his powerful influence 
To see that thou'rt forgiven. 

Cces. Was Pompey sober, 

And in sane mind, when thus he talked with thee ? 

Mess. He seemed so, Csesar. 

Cces. Whom the angry gods 

Wish to destroy, they first make proud and mad. 
He might learn that in Greece, Cornelius. 
Well, we will follow him to Macedon, 
To Asia, Afric, wheresoe'er he goes. 
He will not meet us? We will then meet him. 
He thinks to play great Sylla's cunning game ; 
O'erwhelming Rome with all the mighty East. 
We'll break that thunder-cloud before 'tis formed. 
Antony, tell my legions that their march 
Is just begun. We start at once to seek 
This braggart foe in Macedonia. 

(To Cits.) All ye who wish to further Caesar's cause, 
Can find a place beneath his conquering eagles. 
His soldiers are his children. All the spoils 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 43 

Of war lie shares with them. Ask aud you'll learn 
This is no idle boast, but simple truth. — 
Come, Antony; if Pompey will have war, 
We'll test which of us has the mightier star ! 

{Exeunt all.) 

End of Act III. 



ACT IV. 
AFIEK PHAKSALIA. 

Scene I. — A Street in Rome. 
Enter Saculia and Citizens. 

First Cit. And were you in the battle, Saculia ? 

Sacu. By the sword of Mars you might think so. You 
know that when Csesar invited us citizens to fill up his 
ranks, as I was an old soldier, I could do no other than join 
him. 

Sec. Cit. Fun — wasn't it ? 

Sacu. Why ye-es, fighting's prodigious fun ! That is — 
so long as you are chasing the other fellows. But, it be- 
comes rather too exciting when the other fellows turn, and 
begin to chase you. 

First OIL But how of the battle ? Tell us all about it. 

Sacu. Well, it was at a place called Pharsalia. Pompey 
had more than twice as many men as we had ; but then, you 
know, we were veterans. I didn't see everything, not being 
able, like many old soldiers, to be in all parts of the field at 
the same time. Therefore I can only tell you what I saw 
myself, and what others told me. Csesar didn't consult me 
about the plan of the battle at all ! 

First Cit. Didn't their cavalry scare you when they came 
thundering down ? 

Sacu. Yes ; for they were seven thousand to our one 
thousand. But Csesar — he's a shrewd one, I tell you — had 
trained a lot of us foot soldiers to act with the cavalry, and 
told us just what to do. 'Twas a good idea, by Hercules ! 
{Laughs.) 

Sec. Cit. How was it ? 

SaciL Why, you see, all the good-looking young nobles 
of Rome were in their cavalry ; and Csesar told us to push 
our javelins at tlidr eyes and faces — as they would hate 



44 CiESAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

having their beauty spoiled more than they would being 
killed. And so we did. And, after a little while of that 
kind of thing, they swore we were cowards, and were afraid 
to fight fair ; and turned tail, the whole posse of them, and 
ran for their lives — no, for their good looks. 

First Cit. Nobody but Caesar would have thought of 
that. 

Sacu. No — for he knows how it is himself — he is a famous 
lady's man, you know. 

Sec. Cit And they say their tents were splendid ! 

Sacii. Oh, magnificent — ivy and roses trained over them, 
and all that sort of thing. Silver dishes and gold goblets 
too ! And their slaves had everything ready for a fine 
dinner, by the time they should come back, all tired from 
thrashing Csesar. Poor fellows ! fifteen thousand lay dead 
on the field — and twenty-five thousand surrendered next 
morning. 

First Cit. And Csesar pardoned all of them ? 

Sacu. He pardoned the whole of them — Senators, nobles 
and all. If Pompey had not run off, I believe he would 
have pardoned him too. Ah, well, it was better that the 
Egyptians should cut his head off, than that Csesar should 
pardon him. 

First Cit. Yes — he'd only be making fresh trouble. 

Sacu. And his head was getting to be worth very little 
to any one — though I suppose he didn't want to part with 
it. 

First Cit. I suppose not. We all have our little weak- 
nesses. And Pompey always had an obstinate disposition. 

Sec. Cit. Yes, some men liave — especially old men. 

Sacu. Yes, yes — very few old men are willing to die when 
their time comes, and their heirs begin to wish them out of 
the way. Man is an obstinate animal — just as bad as a 
mule. Poor, weak human nature ! 

First Cit. Let's go up to the Forum, and see what's going 
on to-day. Perhaps Csesar will be there. 

Sacu. As you say, friends. My share of the spoils, will 
make me a man of leisure for many a day. 

{Exeunt omnes.) 



cesae; a dramatic study. 45 

Scene II. — A Puhlie Place in Rome. 
Enter Ciceeo and Cassius. 

Cic. Well, you must own in fairuess, Cassius, 
That Csesar's clemency o'ertops the height 
Of aught e'er seen in Rome. For me, I feared 
A second Marius. But he is bland 
And soft as summer. Not a word is breathed 
Of bloody vengeance. All his thoughts seem bent 
To make of us, his enemies, firm friends. 

Cass. 'Twas a shrewd game, I grant. 

C'lG. "Tis more than shrewd, 

My Cassius. 'Tis wise, and great, and good ! 

Cass. Stuff! stuff! Why did he save us? 'Twas to 
bring 
Us home to Rome like captives, bound with bonds 
Invisible, but stroug as iron bands. 
We simply grace his triumph — just the same 
As if we followed at his chariot wheels, 
Our limbs bent down 'neath chains. We serve him better, 
Thus witnessing his glory and our shame. 
Than if we lay, all mouldering, stiff and cold, 
On sad Pharsalia's field. 

Cic. We played our game. 

And we have lost it. Had we won, his life. 
And that of all his friends, had been the forfeit. 
He wins, and yet he spares. Takes no man's land. 
Degrades no man. Would we have done the same, 
Had we been conquerors ? You know we would not. 

Cass. Of course we would not. Sylla was wiser far 
Than Csesar e'er will be ; — and he ne'er spared 
A foe, or e'er forsook a friend. Mark this ! 
Csesar's a fool ! 

Cic. Better to be a fool, 

A generous fool, than be a cruel god 1 
But as for Caesar, he is greater far 
Than ever Sylla was. Wisely to speak. 
Is to be great. To write with Csesar's pen. 
Is to be greater still. To act, still greater. 
He then who can do all — speak, write and act — 
And of them all is master, is a man 
Whose claim to be called great, must be allowed 
Against both hate and envy. That's my mind. 



46 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Cass. Oh, if a man can act — and make a sure, 
Deep mark with his good sword — it is enough 
To stamp him great with me. As for the pen, 
And the glib tongue, we're better off without them. 
But mark my words — for time Avill prove them true. 
Caesar's a fool ! Only a fool would think 
He could mix oil and water. There's too much hate 
'Tween him and us, to live in peace together. 

CiG. What then ? — another war ? 

Cass. War was a blunder ! 

There are more ways than war for men to die. 

( Cicero manifests alarm.) 
Enough of this. These are but idle thoughts, 
My Cicero ; — thrown out in random mood, 
More than for thought of action. 

Cic. So I trust. 

But even thoughts like those are dangerous. 
Please keep all such, ray friend, for other ears. 
I am too old for a conspirator. 

Cass. Of course— of course — 'twas a mere argument, 
Having no meaniug, save an idle mood. 
You've written much the same to Atticus. 

Cic. {Alarmed.) Not I. Indeed, indeed, you miscon- 
strue. 

Cass. Tut! I will not betray you. We are all 
In the same boat, we Senators of Rome. 

Cic. Let a man make a hundred wise remarks, 
They'll be forgotten. Let him breathe but once 
A piece of folly, straightway it is told 
All over Rome. 

Cass. Of course it is. And why ? 

Because a thistle is the food of asses. 
They always treat me so — then why not you? 
But, by the way, what do you think, my friend, 
Of the new Senators ? There is some more 
Of our great Csesar's doiugs. 

Cic. Oh, 'tis horrible ! 

To thrust barbarians 'mong the Conscript Fathers. 
Perhaps you saw that lusty giant from Gaul ? 

Cass. Of course ! Next we shall have some savage chief 
From Britain's isle — naked, with painted skin ! 
You know they have their wives in common there. 
But that's not unlike Rome. 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 47 

Cic. No, more's the pity ! 

Ah, these are solemn times ! No virtue's left — 
No reverence for rank, or birth, or mind. 
All will be buried 'neath a muddy flow 
Of dirty waters, raked up from below. 

Enter Brutus. 

Cass. Good morrow, Brutus ! 

BriL Health to you, my Cassius ! 

And you, my Cicero ! What's the news to-day ? 

Cass. Oh, nothing ! only we shall have a king 
In Rome within the year. 

Bru. No, Cassius ! 

Cass. Why, 

We have a king already, save in name. 
Where the thing is, the name will follow soon. 

Bru. Csesar will never dare a step like that. 

Cass. Perhaps not. But last night some unknown hand 
Placed crowns of laurel upon all his statues. 

Cic. Ha! That is growing bold indeed. What wretch, 
My noble Brutus, could have moved in this ? 

Bru. It is enough to make the mighty soul 
Of Junius Brutus come back from the shades. 

Cass. (Aside.) I thought that scheme w^ould work. Say 
the word king, 
And Rome will tremble to its Capitol. 
Call the king Consul, Emperor, Dictator, 
And then it is all smooth. But men are fools ! 

Cic. What is it that you mutter, Cassius? 

Cass. Oh, nothing. 

Bru. Cassius seems not pleased to-day. 

Cic. Oh, were he pleased — why then he would not be 
Old Caius Cassius. 

Cass. Thank you, Cicero. 

But you're a lawyer, that's a falsifier. 
Were lawyer's swords as sharp as are their tongues, 
They'd cut the world in slices, and divide 
It up among them, like a stolen orange. 

Bru. (Laughs.) You're even now, I think. Come now 
with me. 
I go to call on Caesar at his palace. 
'Tis his reception hour, when all may go. 
He will be glad to see us, for he bade 
Me come whene'er I could, and bring my friends. 



48 

Cass. Well, we'll go too. (Aside.) Caesar's as kind to 
Brutus 
As most men to their sons. — Come, Cicero ! 
Csesar admires your genius, as he calls it. 

Scene III. — Boom in Caesar's Palace, as before. 
Enter CiESAR and Cornelius. 

C(jes. I'm weary ! weary I good Cornelius. 
I'm tired, and sick at heart. Time is at best 
But like a flight of stairs ; which falls away 
Behind us, thundering down in- the abyss, 
As fast as we ascend. And thus to stay 
All idly where we are, is but to fall. 
To mount forever is life. While still the prize 
Was to be won, I nerved me to the task. 
But now my foes are conquered, justice done 
To me and to my friends, and Kome at peace, 
I feel that Csesar could lie down and die. 

Cor. 'Tis the recoil of many wearing years 
Of active, dangerous strife. Your weary marches 
In Gaul and Germany — your late campaigns 
In Macedon and Spain. Such active toil 
In marching, fighting, planning, with your life 
Always in peril — all your nerves strung up 
To the high pitch — must needs result at last 
In utter weariness. Give yourself rest, 
Retire as much as may be from the crowd. 
Take all things easy for a few short years, 
And you shall find Csesar is young again. 

Cois. Dost know, Cornelius, I have sometimes thought 
Of doing even as old Sylla did ? 
Give up all offices, resign all power, 
Become a simple citizen of Kome, 
Retire to some sweet villa on the coast, 
And with my books and pen enjoy my life. 
I look out on the world, and all seems dark. 
Fierce and tempestuous, as a stormy sky 
In a wild night. But then I see sweet homes. 
Like peaceful spots of blue amid the gloom, 
And little children shining there like stars. 
Were not that better far than all this strife ? 



c^sab; a deamatic study. 49 

Cor. True, Csesar, I myself have always thouglit 
That happiness lay not in wealth or power, 
Bat in the golden mean 'tween high and low. 
The wheel of Fortune speeds along its way ; 
Those at the top move fastest — so their hour 
[s o'er the sooner. And along the ground 
The wheel moves slow, with a perpetual grind, 
jrive me the centre of the wheel — there glides 
3ur still life onward, free of chance or change. 
But great men cannot dwell there, much I fear. 
^Yhat would thy friends say ? — what Calpurnia ? 
^nd couldst thou do it, and live? 

C<jes. Oh, as to life, 

That would not matter much. A few short years, 
\.nd death will claim us all. And after that, 
^hat then ? I thought at one time wi£h Lucretius, 
That, formed from out dull atoms, w^e at the end, 
Co atoms should return. But can this soul, 
That burns so brightly in its earthly lamp, 
jo out in death, and cease to be, and die ? 
.ly mother — noble, good Aurelia ! 
»Iy daughter Julia — so loving and true ! 
yan their pure souls have vanished like a flame 
51own out by the mad wind ? It cannot be. 

feel within me that it cannot be. 
l\xt call Calpurnia, kind Cornelius. 

wish to talk with her. {Exit Cornelius.) 

^nd is there one that loves great Csesar for 
iimself alone — now that Aurelia's dead ? 
fly mother — she I knew was truth itself; 
^ut Avho now can 1 trust? 

Enter Calpurnia. 

Calpurnia I 

Cal. Csesar ! My lord ! 

C(Es. I've had a thought, Calpurnia. 

'hou art, my wife, the first of women in Rome. 

Cal. Thanks to thee, Csesar ! But do I not wear 
ly honors as becomes great Julius' wife ? 
've sought to do so, but perchance I've failed, 
.till I am apt to learn. What shall I do 
'o show that Caesar's wife is worthy Csesar? 

Cces. C^sar can find no fault with Csesar's wife. 
3 



60 CJESAR ; A DEAMATIC STUDY. 

She wears her honors as a rose its red, 
Calpurnia ! 

Cal. Well, my lord. 

Cces. I had a dream — 

A silly dream ; but I will tell it thee. 
How wouldst thou like to lay thy honors down ? 
How wouldst thou like that I should put aside 
All shows and pomps of power as Sylla did — 
All high commands, all offices of state — 
And be a simple citizen of Rome ? 
Go to some villa by the murmuring sea ; 
And there we two should live and love until 
Death, came at last with his consuming fire. 
What say'st, Calpurnia — would this please thee, sweet ? 

Cal. Oh, Csesar — oh, my husband I could this be. 
It were a gift of the immortal gods ! 
I live in constant terror now, my Caesar ; 
Not for myself, but thee. What is this state, 
Beneath a sword, just hanging by a hair? 
The nobles dread thee, Caesar. All thy love 
Returns on thee in hatred. This I see 
With my keen woman's eye — because my sight 
Is sharpened by my love. Oh, let us fly 
From this accursed Rome, which reeks with blood, 
And live for one another — not for men 
Who cannot feel or love or gratitude. 
And in return for honors give but hate. 

Enter a Slave, and hands letter to Calpurnia, 

Slave. A letter for my lord. (Exit Slave.) 

Cal. (Smiles.) It is a woman's writing, Julius. 
Cois. (Takes letter.) 'Tis from Servilia. She agrees with 
thee. 

(Hands letter to Calpurnia.) 
Cal. (Reads.) "Guard thyself, C£esar. All the nobles 
hate thee. 
Cicero, Casca, Cassius — even, oh, 
That I should have to say it, my own son, 
My Brutus ! For he says thou mean'st to make 
Thyself a king. And also keep thy eye 
On Decimus. From thy old friend, 

Servilia." 
Cces. ( Gloomily.) Cicero, Cassius, Casca ! All their lives 



CESAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 51 

Were mine, by doom of war. I hailed them friends, 
And raised them from their humble, suppliant knees. 
I touched not their estates, levied no fines, 
But gave them a full pardon. Brutus, too ! 
I gave strict orders he should not be harmed 
Upon the day of battle. They have sworn 
Unto the gods, as all the Senate have sworn. 
Perdition to the wretch who touched my life. 
AVhen men scorn oaths, how then can they be held ? 
They keep no terms — how then can I keep terms ? 
There's only one safe course with men like these. 

Cal. And what is that ? 

Cces. The unsparing sword of Sylla 1 

Cal. Oh no, my husband. Let not loose again 
The vengeful sword of Sylla. Surely these men. 
The chief of Rome, have souls that can be touched. 
Kill them with kindness ! Pierce them to the heart 
With favors past desert. Make thus thy cause 
Their cause, and turn these enemies to friends. 

Cces. It is a woman's counsel — but the gods 
Perchance may smile upon it. Well I know 
There is no safety now, no sure repose 
Save in the sword. That Avould make certainty I 
And yet I cannot do it — cannot give 
Pome up again to vengeance. Let death come 
To me, if so it will. For I am tired, 
Calpurnia, of this unthankful task 
Of striving to make whole a rotten State ; 
Whose noblest souls are dead to gratitude, 
And think no more of breaking solemn oaths, 
Than spilling a cup of wine. But 'tis the hour 
When I give audience. Let the doors be opened. 

Cal. I will, my lord. Great Pallas prosper thee, 
And aid thee with her counsels. (Exit Calpurnia.) 

Enter Brutus, Cassius, Cicero, Antony and Decimus. 

Bru. Hail, Caesar ! Health and happiness attend thee ! 

C(ES. And health and happiness to thee, my Brutus ! 
And to thee also, Cassius ! Cicero, 
Thou'rt looking better. Decimus, my friend ! 
Antony, thou art flourishing as usual, — 
My strong right arm art thou ! What is the news 
In Rome to-day ? 



52 cjesar; a dkamatic study. 

Bru. There is no news, I think ; 

Save of the rising of the Parthians, 

Cms. Yes, much I fear that I shall have to take 
An army into Asia. AVhile I'm gone, 
I'll need your help, my friends, both there and here. 
I have been planning for the provinces. 
You, Cassius, did good work in Syria, 
When Parthia's mail-clad horsemen, swarming west, 
Impinged against our power, and Crassus fell 
Before the fierce Orodes. Hapless man ! 
His head was severed from its bleeding trunk. 
And in his mouth was poured the molten gold ; 
Orodes crying : " Take thou now thy fill 
Of that which thou through life hast coveted!" 
AVe need a man in Syria — one of steel ! 
How will that wealthy province meet thy views, 
My worthy Cassius ? 

Cass. Csesar doth o'erpay 

My poor deserts. I am his servant ever. 

Cms. Brutus, my friend, thou hast done well in Gaul. 
Thou too shalt have a Province. Macedon 
Will suit thee well. I know thou'lt govern wisely. 

Bru. Caesar, my thanks ! I'll strive to do my duty. 
Alike to Macedonia and Eome. 

Cms. Brave Decimus, most faithful and most true 
Caesar has always found thee. Thou hast been 
Near to my side through many a long campaign. 
I give to thee near Gaul. They love me there, 
And will receive thee gladly in my name. 

Dec. As I have been, oh Csesar, will I be — 
Faithful and true, forever ! Many thanks ! 

Cms. Thou, Cicero, I will not take from Rome, 
Thy son-in-law I've named for Consul. But 
Thy place is in the Senate. He wrongs Rome, 
And wrongs the Senate, who would take the flower 
And choicest ornament of these dull times, 
The master orator of all the world. 
And place him where his matchless speech could have 
No fitting theme nor audience. Cicero, 
Thy name itself outranks all other titles. 

Clc. Such praise from Csesar makes all other honors 
Seem mean and stale. I'll strive henceforth to make 
My poor orations worthy of his praise. 



53 

C(ES. The Senate, Brutus — does it meet to-day ? 

Bru. Yes, Csesar ; and I think the hour is near. 
Had we not better leave, my friends ? 

Cic. I think so. 

Cces. One moment. I am debtor to the Senate 
For a long list of favours. Honor on honor 
They heap upon me. I would not seem graceless ; 
Yet I could wish they now would let me pass. 
I have a surfeit now of praise, my friends. 
Please then think more of Kome, and less of me. 
And you will please me better. Pardon me ; 
I would not seem discourteous — only Rome 
Is suffering so for greatly needed laws, 
To make its people prosperous and free. 

Bru. {Aside to Cass.) That has a good ring, Cassius. 

Cass. {Aside.) Pshaw, that's mere talk. Mere honey to 
catch flies. 

Cic. We'll try to meet your modest wishes, Csesar. 
But we are few% you know ; and the great tide 
Of gratitude to Csesar, bears us on, 
Despite our small obstruction. 

Cces. Do your best, 

And it will serve me. 

{Exeunt Brutus, Cassius, Cicero and Decimus.) 

Ant. A precious lot of scoundrels ! Dost thou know 
That scarce a man of the whole Senate is true ? 
And yet thou giv'st their leaders Prsetorships, 
And Provinces ! By Jove, 'twere wiser far 
To give me orders to take all their heads, 
And hang them 'round the Forum. Give the word, 
And I will do it too ! 

Cces. That's the sure course ; 

I know it well as thou. And yet, and yet, 
I will not do it. No, my Antony, 
Not even to save my life. 

Ant. Nor my life too ? 

The lives of all thy friends ? What madness is this ? 
I've known thee in Gaul, to take ten thousand lives. 
So it were necessary. And now^ thou haltest 
At some half hundred, which would give us peace. 

Cces. They were barbarians. These are my brothers — 
The noblest souls of Rome. 



54 C^SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

Aiit Jove pity Rome, 

If such men be her noblest. Thou hast given 
Them all their lives — and now they menace thine. 
Thou giv'st them cities, provinces, and still 
'Twill be the same ; they'll kill thee if they can. 
Trust thou a tiger — ask him not to tear 
The hand that gives him food — but trust not thou 
To one great lord in Rome. Thou lov'st the people. 
That is enough for them ; outweighs all virtues, 
Makes all agreements naught, and marks thee out 
To die by open or by secret war, 
As died the glorious Gracchi ! 

Cces. Be it so ! 

Rome's had enough of blood. The world shall judge, 
In after ages, 'tween their deeds and mine. 

Ant. " The world shall judge !" Csesar, thy enemies 
Are keepers of the record. They will taint 
Thy glorious name to all succeeding time. 
They make the histories. Thou hast no voice. 
And all the coming ages '11 call thee tyrant ! 

Cces. Then I appeal to the great gods above ! 
They'll do me justice. Even on this earth. 
Wrong cannot triumph ever. The great mass 
Of mortal men will not lie always thus 
Beneath the feet of proud and selfish nobles. 
Freedom at last shall reign, if not in Rome, 
Then in some new Atlantis of the West, 
Beyond the mighty gate and boundless sea. 
When that time comes, the world's heart shall begin 
To know me as I am, a man who loved 
And labored for the People ! 

Ant Well — so be it ! 

If the worst comes, I'll die, my lord, with thee ; 
Or, if I live, avenge thee! That curs'd Senate. 
Thou mark'st their cunning and perfidious game? 

Cces. 1 mark it well. It is to make me odious 
To all the people. Make me seem ambitious. 
Greedy for power and praise, beyond all men 
That ever rided in Rome. They'd smother me 
'Neath flowers and peacock's feathers. 

Ant Mark that move 

To place thy statue in the Capitol, 
Among the kings of Rome — as if thou meant 
To make thyself a king. 

I 



C^SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 55 

Cces. We'll block that game 

This very day ; accorcliDg to the plan 
We late arranged. Hast thou prepared the crown ? 

Ant. The crown is ready. Wilt thou walk to-day? 

Cces. In half an hour. 

Ant. All shall be ready, Csesar. 

Cces. What folly, senseless folly, 'twere in me, 
Having the substance, like the dog in the fable, 
To risk it for a shadow, a mere shadow, 
A name, an empty title ! Have they not. 
This gracious Senate, showered upon my head 
Titles enough ? Dictator, Emperor, 
Commander of the Army, for my life ! 
More power than ever King was given in Rome. 
What need I more ? To take the name of King 
Would be to shock the people, now my friends, 
And make them doubt my loyalty and truth. 
I am too old a soldier, Antony, 
To walk into this trap the Senate sets. 

Enter Cornelius hastily. 

Cor. Csesar, the Senate have just now resolved, 
To give thee further honors, as they term them. 
They've voted thou'rt not mortal, but a God ! 
That a new temple shall be built to thee, 
As to great Romulus , and Antony here, 
Shall be the Priest of the temple ! 

Ant. (Laughs.) I a Priest! 

I'd like to offer them up on the altar. 
As the first sacrifice to Csesar's fame. 

Cor. A delegation from the Senate, now 
Is on its way to bring thee news of this. 
I hurried first, that thou might'st be prepared. 

(CiESAR takes a seat.) 

Cces. (Laughs.) And so I am a God now ! Well, I'll act 
The god a little, and see how they like it. 
A god ! — I never felt so like a man 
As I have felt this month past. Oh, my friends, 
Csesar has won the world, and finds at last 
It is not worth the winning. 

Cor. Here they come ! 



5Q c^sae; a deamatic study. 

Ant. I will go, Csesar, to prepare our plans. 

{Exit Antony.) 

Enter Deputation of Senators. 

Senator. Csesar, we bring tliee greetings from the Senate. 

C^SAR remains silent and seated, gazing vacantly i7ito 
the air. 

Sen. I say we bring thee greetings from the Senate. 

C^SAR makes no response — takes no notice of them. 

Sen. (^Angrily.') It ever has been the custom in our Rome, 
For citizens to rise, whene'er the Senate 
Has deigned to honor them with Deputies. 

Goes. Oh yes, for citizens ! But I'm a god, 
By your own showing. Gods do never rise 
When mortal men approach. Be I a god ? 
Then down upon your knees, and give your message. 

Sen. Csesar, so great an insult to the Senate, 
Bars out all further words. We will report 
To those who sent us, with what gross contempt 
Their envoys were received. 

Coes. {Rises.) Pray tell them this: — 

Csesar is not a god ; but a mere man. 
Who has found favor in his country's eyes. 
The Senate w^ould not like him as a god. 
More than poor Csesar thus would like himself. 
If he were god, why then upon their knees 
Should they approach him — which he would abhor 
Ev'n more than they would. Would the Senate seek 
To honor Csesar further ? — let them pass 
The laws he has proposed to prosper Kome. 
To set the poor at work, by draining all 
The Pontine marshes and the Fucine lake. 
By sending eighty thousand landless poor 
To build up Carthage. Let them further pass 
The law to give the Provinces a stake 
In the Republic ; making Senators 
Of all their worthiest men, from Spain and Gaul 
To Macedon and the far Syrian shore. 
For thus we bind all in one equal bond. 
All noble souls are kindred. Through the bars 
Of country and of race they clasp warm hands. 



57 

And even o'er the yawning chasms wide 
Of intervening centuries, they send 
Their messages of warning and of cheer. 
Thus honoring all, we build up the fair state 
In still securer power ; while all mankind 
Shall hail a mother in almighty Rome ! 

Sen. Csesar, we'll bear thy answer to the Senate. 

Goes. So do, and you will please me. 

(^Exeunt Senators.) 

Cces. (To Cor.) Now for the games. 

(Exeunt C^sar and Cornelius.) 

Scene IV. — A Public Place in Pome. 
Enter Saculia and Citizens. 

Sacu. We are in good time. Something's going on to- 
day that'll be worth seeing, my masters. If it isn't so, call 
me screw-eye. 

First Cit. What is it, Saculia ? 

Sacu. Never you mind ; you'll see. Old Csesar '11 show 
the people what he means. He'll stop here as he goes to 
the games. 

First Cit. They say that Brutus says Csesar wants to 
be king. 

Sec. Cit. Well, if we had to have a king, Caesar would be 
the man for me. 

Sacu. We don't want a king. Csesar wouldn't be a king. 
Brutus is a prig — he's got a nose of wax ; and his brother- 
in-law, old Cassius, squeezes it into just what shape he 
pleases. 

First Cit. Here they are. 

Sacu. Shout for Caesar when he comes. Split your throats, 
boys ! 

Enter C^sar, Cornelius anc? attendants. 

Sacu. and Cits. Hurra for Caesar ! Hurra ! 

Cces. Thanks, my good friends. Cornelius, I will rest 
Here a few moments. I feel weak to-day. 

Cor. Here is the chair of state the Senators 
Have placed for thee. 

rC.ESAR takes seat hi golden cha'r.) 

Sacu. Caesar, upon thy head 

We citizens of Rome invoke the blessino;s 



58 c^sae; a dramatic study. 

Of all our Fathers' Gods. We know that thou 
Lovest the people, as thou lovest Kome. 

Cces. Saculia, thauks 1 — and ye, kind friends and true. 
Csesar loves you ; and you, I know, love him. 
And we love Rome — and strive to make her great, 
And make her people prosper in their homes ; 
So honest toil may meet its fair reward, 
And honest parents happy children rear. 
And not an honest man e'er beg in Rome. 

First Git That's the right kind of talk. Hurra for 
Csesar ! 

Cits. Hurra for Csesar ! 

Enter Antony idth a hinges crown. 

Ant. Csesar, thy legions love thee more than all 
The rest of Rome can love thee ; for they are 
As thy own children. On a hundred fields, 
From Macedonia to farthest Gaul, 
They've shared with thee the perils of stern war. 
And thou hast ever cared for them, thy sons, 
As if thou wert their father. So they send 
This golden crown, and pray that thou wouldst wear 
It on thy sovereign brow until thou diest. 
And be the mighty King of mighty Rome ! 

Antony would put the croum on Cesar's head, but C^sar 
will not suffer it. 

Sacu. Csesar will wear no crown ! You see, my friends ! 

Cits. Hurra for Csesar ! 

Cces. (Eises.) Oh, Antony, how much thou wrongest 
Csesar ! 
Go tell my legions I return their love 
Even from this heart's core. But tell my sons 
That Csesar says, Rome is no place for kings. 
In this free Roman air kings cannot breathe ! 
Romans will never own a mortal king ; 
They'll have no king but God ! Take thou this crown 
Unto the Capitol, and place it there 
Upon the mighty brows of Jupiter, 
Great king of Gods and men ! 

Aiit. Csesar, I will ! I stand rebuked before thee ! 
Thou art of the most ancient stock of Rome, 
And worthy of thy fathers. Citizens, 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 



59 



Let us record upon a plate of brass, 
And place it here for after times to read, 
That on this spot we offered mighty Caesar 
A kingly crown, and here his godlike words 
Taught us our duty to himself and Kome. 

/Sam. Mark Antony speaks well. Hurra for Antony ! 

bits. Hurra for Antony ! 

Cces. Let us proceed 

To see the games. My Antony, thy arm. 
Have that inscription placed without delay. 

{Exeunt CiESAR, Antony and Cornelius.) 

Sacu. Come, friends, let's follow Csesar to the games. 
Hurra for Csesar ! 

Cits. Hurra for Csesar ! {Exeunt omnes,) 

End of Act IV. 



ACT Y. 



THE DEATH OF CJESAE. 
Scene I. — Night Boom in the house of Cassius. 

Enter Cassius. 

Cass. It is the hour, and yet not one has come. 
Do their hearts fail them at the very last ? 

{It thunders.) 
Perhaps the storm deters them. Men of straw- 
Alone would plead that bar. And yet such men 
]\Iake up the bulk o' the world ; and we must work 
With such material as the careless gods 
Think well to furnish. Ah, here's one at last. 

Enter Decimus. 

Dec. Thy good health, Cassius. Where are all the rest ? 
It is a fearful night ! Has no one come? 

Cass. The storm no doubt detains them. Thou art here 
Just on the hour, my Decimus. 

j)ec. Yes, trust me 

For that. I'm an old soldier, Cassius. 
When Csesar set an hour, woe to the man, 
However high his rank, who came too late. 



60 CiESAR: A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

Wliate'er his faults, Caesar's a general, 
The pick of the whole world ! 

Cass. He's good enough. 

But other men might be as good as he. 
With equal chances. 

Dee. Does our Brutus hold 

Still to the bond ? For we shall need him much ; 
The people have great faith in Marcus Brutus ; 
They think him honest above the common rule. 

Cass. The people are fools ! They're taken with a show- 
A mere outside. Brutus puts on a face 
Long as your arm — longer than Gate's even. 
Talks loud of virtue, morals and all that. 
Says he's a stoic — makes the people think 
It is old Junius Brutus come again ; 
And after all — between us two, good Decimus — 
He's but a solemn prig ! 

Dec. Do you think so ? 

Cass. How did he make his fortune ? I will tell you. 
By lending money, at four per cent, a month. 
To the Cilicians. Claudius was governor there — 
Brutus had married Claudius's daughter — 
His debtors could not pay. He marched an army, 
And forced the money from them by the swords 
Of Roman soldiers. Four per cent, a month ! 
There's usury for you ! There's a stoic's morals ! 

Dec. I had not heard of tnat. I was in Gaul. 

Cass. And just the other day, what does he do ? 
Tiring of Claudia, his wile — this stoic, 
This proud despiser of all earthly joys, 
Divorces her, and marries Portia, 
His pretty cousin, stoic Cato's daughter ! 
There's morals for you ! Get a name, my friend ; 
A good, strait, solemn mask ; then you may punch 
Old Bacchus in the ribs, and take your pkasure 
Wherever you can find it. 

Dec. Ah well, all men 

Are pretty much alike. But, here is Brutus. 

Enter Brutus and Cimber. 

Bru. A wild night this, brave Cassius. 
Cass. All the better 

To hide our meetino;. Where's Trebonius ? 



CESAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. i 

Clm. Sickness detains liim. But lie bade me say, 
He will not fail you. He is resolute 
To overthrow the tyrant, or to die. 

Bi^u. As we, the chiefs, must do the dangerous work, 
Let's settle all our plans. First, Cassius, 
How many Senators are now enrolled 
To aid us to the death ? Thou hast the list. 

Cass. Full sixty Senators have set their names, 
And pledged themselves to stand or fall together. 

JBru. Has Cicero signed ? 

Cass. I have not asked him, Brutus. 

He is too old — too weak and wavering! 
If tongues were swords, he'd be a mighty warrior. 
But as it is, he's a mere piece of dough, 
That'll stick to the winning side. 

Bru. Now as to Antony and Lepidus. 
Must they too die ? 

Cass. I vote for Antony's death. 

For Lepidus w^e needs must spare him, seeing 
We cannot help it — being with his troops. 
Outside the walls of the city. Else I'd say, 
Why, kill him too. 

Bru. Let us not rashly shed 

A drop of needless blood. They are but as 
The vigorous arms of Caesar. When he dies, 
The head drops off from all that mighty trunk. 
The arms can then do nothing ! 

Cass. No, not so. 

'Mark Antony's not Csesar ; but he is 
A man of no sUght mould. Great Csesar dwarfs him. 
And there is also young Octavius. 
He must not live. I've weighed him well, my friends ; 
And mark my words, he'll prove a second Csesar. 

Dec. 1 do not go with you, good Cassius. 
Mark Antony's not much. I've fought with him. 
And know the man. And as for young Octavius, 
I went with Csesar and him, you know, to Spain — 
All travelling together in one carriage. 
He is not strong — a modest, kindly youth ; 
Not the least dangerous. 

Br^L. Besides, you grant, 

Wise Cassius, that we cannot easily reach 
The man most to be dreaded, Lepidus ; 



62 c^SAR ; A dha^xATic study. 

Who has this moment under his command, 
The only troops at Eome. If we should kill 
Mark Antony, he'll know he's only spared, 
Because we could not strike him. Thus we throw 
Him and his soldiers 'gainst our noble cause 
Just at the critical moment. My advice 
Is to spare Antony and Octavius too ; 
And gain their aid by offers of promotion. 
Get them to work on Lepidus, and thus 
Prevent a struggle for supremacy, 
Within the walls of Rome. Csesar once dead — 
He's dead ! And vain, aspiring men like Antony 
Will think far more of building up their fortunes, 
Than of avenging that which cannot be 
By mortal man undone. 

Dec, Brutus is right. 

My judgment goes with his. 

Clm. And so does mine. 

Cass. So does not mine. You will repeat, I fear, 
Csesar's own blunder. For, had he not spared 
Brutus and me, and fifty nobles more. 
We should not now be plotting 'gainst his life. 

Bru. We owe to Csesar gratitude, I grant. 
And yet we owe a greater debt to Rome. 
The smaller debt must yield before the greater. 
Thus Junius Brutus — 

Cass. (^ Aside.) Ye gods — he's started 

On Junius Brutus ! When will he give o'er ? 

JBru. That great first Brutus, when he found his sons 
Had joined with traitors to bring back false Tarquin, 
And make him once more king ; he had them bound, 
Brought to his judgment seat, and there, before 
His own stern eyes, first scourged, then put to death ! 
'Twas like a Roman ! I would do the same. 
Were Csesar my own father, I would doom 
Him to the death, Freedom to save and Rome ! 

Cass. {Aside.) Yes, I believe he would. He's as cold 
blooded 
As any fish ! I warrant that he knows 
The half of Rome think Csesar is his father. 

Dec. Oh, gratitude claims nothing. All the gifts 
That Csesar gives, belong to Rome, not him. 
My mind is very easy on that score. 



cjesar; a dramatic study. 



63 



Cass. Of course I yield my judgment to you all. 
I hope you'll not regret it. Let that pass. 
:Mow for the main plan. Who will strike the blow — 
The first, I mean? We all will follow suit. 
dm. I'm not much of a talker, so I'll do 
My share in striking, if it please you all. 
Cass. Make up some story, Cimber. 
Cim. C>h, that's easy. 

I'll plead anew to gain my brother's pardon. 
He will refuse me ; and be angry too, 
Because I dare to press it. 

Cass. Very good. 

Then we will second you — and he will grow 
Still angrier than before. And then you'll strike. 

Bee, Who will take care of Antony? He's a man 
To give us trouble. 

Cass. Ah, I've thought of that. 

Trebonius must detain him at the door. 
Offer to lend him money — that will keep him. 
For Antony is always wanting money ; 
Always would want it, were he governor 
Of half the provinces. 

Bru. What more's to plan ? 

Cass. I think of nothing. 

X)ec. Nor I. ( Goes to window.) See, 

morning breaks ! 
Bru. We'd better part at once. The storm is fled. 
Cass. That storm's blown by ; a greater lies ahead ! 

i^Exeunt Brutus, Decimus and Cimber.) 
Cass. What fools men are ; how they delude themselves ! 
Now I know what I do, and what I mean. 
Caesar has injured me. He seized the lions 
I'd purchased for my games, and left at Megara. 
That's one offence. Then when I made petition 
For the first Prsetorship, he owned that I 
Deserved it most, having done Rome most service ; 
But gave it all the same to Marcus Brutus, 
AVho had done naught, because forsooth he loved him ! 
He may love Brutus, but I'll prove this day. 
By Brutus' sword, what Brutus' love is worth. 
Brutus ! he is my tool ! — this wondrous Brutus 
Of whom Kome thinks so highly ! He might be, 
Next to ffreat Cc^sar, the first man in Rome. 



64 C^SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 

And, after Caesar's death, the very first ; 

For Csesar loves him as he might his son. 

Were Cassius Brutus, I would sooner die 

Than wound the man who loved me in that sort. 

But then I'm no philosopher ; my eyes 

Are fixed on earth, not wandering in the skies. 

(Exit Cassius.) 

Scene II. — Room in Cesar's ho^ise. 
Enter C^sar and Cornelius. 

Cor. I also counsel, Csesar, 'gainst thy going. 
Nothing is lost by staying, nothing risked. 
In such a case, why not remain at home ? 

Cces. Only because I will not live in fear. 
Caesar would rather die this very day 
Than live in constant dread of any foe. 
I should have died a hundred deaths ere this, 
In my campaigns in Gaul, in Greece, in Spain, 
If I had given myself the least concern 
About my safety. Why am I here now ? 
Because the great gods ordered I should live. 
To do their work in Rome. When that is done, 
And it is best for Rome that I should die. 
Then all the swords of all my friends would fail 
To save me from my foes. Cornelius, 
I have no dread of death. The doom the gods 
Have made the fate of all, or soon or late. 
Cannot be bad for man. What's natural. 
Cannot be evil. As for me, I feel 
Like one whose work is done ; and to whom rest, 
In this world or the shades, were now the great, 
YeSj the supremest blessing ! 

Enter Antony. 

Ant. Stir not from home this morning, mighty Caesar ! 
There is a plot on foot. I'm sure of it. 
I hear the whispers of conspiracy 
On every side. Treason is in the air. 
Men shake their heads and mutter as I pass. 
Stir not a step from home without a guard 
Of thy old soldiers. They can not be bought. 



c^esae; a dramatic study 



65 



C<-£s. I'm sick of all this talk of plots and treason. 
See, here's a letter has been sent to me, 
Or, rather, to Cornelius. ^Takes out letter.) 

Here's a list 
Of sixty of the noblest names in Kome. 
Among them Brutus ; yes, the man I love 
Above all other men — because, because 
His mother was my friend, my dearest friend 
Of all the women in Rome. And Decimus, 
Who fought Avith me in Ganl — the officer 
I trusted next to thee, my Antony. 
And Cassius, who, although he loves me not, 
Accepted life and honors from my hand. 
Why, even thou, my Antony, art accused ; 
And Lepidus. And why not also you. 
If all the rest are faithless ? By the gods, 
If all the world be made up thus of knaves, 
If there be none Caesar can longer trust. 
Why then his time has surely come to die ; 
Yes, and far happier then to die than live ! 

Ant. Well, take thy guards ! That I am true, I prove 
By giving thee such counsel. 

Cces. Antony ! 

When I believe that thou, my friend, art false, 
Death will be more than welcome. 

Ejiter Soothsayer. 

Sooth. Great Csesar, go not forth from home to-day. 
In offering up the morning's sacrifice, 
I've found a yearling calf that has no heart. 
It is most inauspicious, dire and dreadful ! 
The gods say to thee, Caesar, go not forth ! 

Oes. It is not wondrous calves should have no hearts. 
If all the noblest men in Rome have none. 
But I should think that if the gracious gods 
Had any word for Caesar, they would send it 
Direct to him in visions or in dreams. 
For me, I never felt more calm a mind 
Than I do now, when I have schooled my soul 
To meet what fate the mighty gods ordain. 

Sooth. The night was terrible. The lightning smote 
The turrets of thy house. Roarings were heard. 
As if of lions, in the empty streets. 
Men fought in the skies. Earth shook. Red meteors 



6Q c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Crashed down within the Forum, smiting there 
Thy statue to the pavement. 

Cces. And all this 

Portends great harm to me ? 

Sooth. Most surely, Csesar. 

Cces. And if I stay at home, I shall escape ? 

Sooth. Of course. How else ? 

Cces. Why then it seems to me 

The mighty gods have ta'en great trouble for naught. 
All this mad strain of the wild elements 
To keep one man at home ! Why a mere rind 
Of melon placed beneath my hasty foot, 
Had better done the work at trifiiug cost. 

Sooth. Caesar, respect the gods — the ordaining gods ! 

Cces. I do respect them more than thou canst know — 
W^hen they decree that Caesar's time has come 
To leave this world, then naught that he can do, 
Or g:oing or staying, will that doom avert. 
A Persian monarch once, in grievous fear, 
Went to a wise Magician. " Shield me now 
From harm this day ; it is my day of doom. 
Send me by thy great power to the world's end ; 
And name thy own reward." The Magian did. 
That afternoon the dreadful angel Death, 
Came also to the Magian. " Where goest thou ?" 
Said the Magician. " I am bound straightway," 
Replied stern Death, " unto the end o' the world ; 
Where it was doomed one thousand years ago. 
Thy monarch should await me." Such is Fate ! 
No art can baffle, and no sacrifice 
Change the resolve of the eternal gods. 
All man can do, is calmly to submit. 

Sooth. Well, I have done my duty by thee, Csesar. 

(Exit Soothsayer.) 

Enter Calpurnia. 

Cal. Oh, Caesar, thou must not go forth to-day ! 
I pray thee, go not ! I, Calpurnia, 
Thy wedded wife, beg this one favor of thee. 
I could not sleep last night — the door flew open. 
Without a cause. There was no one without. 
Then, near the morn, at last I fell asleep. 
And then I dreamed — (Clasps her hands.) 



C^SAR; A DRAMATIC STUDY. 67 

Cces. What didst thou dream, Calpurnia? 

Cal. I cannot tell thee, Csesar ! 

Cces. Fear thou not 

It will alarm me. I can show perhaps. 
It has but little meaning. 

Cal. I heard the fierce, vindictive tread of foes 
Approaching through the empty corridor. 
It echoed through my dream. The door flew wide. 
There w^as a gleam of swords. And then I held 
A murdered body close within my arms. 
The blood was streaming from a hundred wounds. 
I could not see the face, although I strove 
With all my might, as we oft do in dreams. 
Then like a flash, my eyelids sprang apai't. 
And I beheld thy face! {She seems about to faint.) 

Cces. ( Catches her in his arms.) My sweet Calpurnia ! 

Cal. Thou wilt not go to-day ? Grant me but this ! 
'Tis the first favour I e'er asked of thee. 
And, if thou goest, the last ! Thou wilt not go ? 

Cces. I will not. Friends, I shall remain at home. 
Not that I fear, but that Calpurnia fears. 

Cal. Thanks, Caesar, thanks ! A weight is ofl* my heart ! 
I will not trouble further. Worthy friends, 
Good-day ! 

Cces. One kiss, my love ! When Caesar dies, 
His chiefest grief will be to part from thee ! 

(Kisses her. Exit Calpurnia.) 

A7it. 1 also will go now, since thou art safe. 

(Exit Antony.) 

Cor. 'T would be a good occasion to review 
Those letters I have written. 

Cces. No, not to-day, 

My dear old friend. I'm ill at heart to-day. 

Enter Decimus. 

Dec. Csesar, the Senate waits thee. 

Cces. Decimus, 

I have resolved to bide at home to-day. 

Dec. Why, how is this? Thou saidst thou would be 
there ; 
And Caesar's word was never like a vane 
Which veers from North to South ev'n while we gaze. 

Cces. The omens are unfavourable. 



6S c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Dec. {Laughs.) The omens ! 

What! Csesar, too, is growing superstitious! 
I well remember when thou wast in Gaul, 
Fighting the Celts, those children of the night. 
The Augurs said the entrails of a sheep 
Forbade the battle. And that Csesar said, 
" 'Twas not to be supposed a silly sheep 
Could know the hour that it was best to fight 
So well as an old soldier." Then all laughed. 

Cces. (Laughs.) Yes, I remember that. And Decimus, 
What's more, we won the battle! Dost thou know, 
Of all my deeds, I pride me most on Gaul? 
As Cicero told the Senate, 'twas not merely 
Another Province gained ; but that a cloud 
Was now dispersed, which had o'erhung the State 
Since the sad days when Brennus and his Gauls 
Stormed madly into Konie. ]3ut it required 
Hard fighting — did it not, my Decimus ? 

Dec. Ah, those were glorious days ! 

Cois. Indeed they were. 

And dost remember, my brave Decimus, 
How, at that very battle, thou and I 
Kallied the Tenth, my favorite legionaries ; 
Seizing their standard, telling them the foe 
Lay just the other way — until for shame 
They ceased their flight, and turned defeat to glory ? 

JJec. Yes, I remember well. But 'twas thy work ! 
I saw thee — dressed in scarlet, with bared head — 
Flashing like Mars before the runaways. 
Filling their hearts anew with life and hope. 
And making them invincible ! Yes, in truth, 
It was thy victory, Csesar. All I did 
Was naught compared with thee. 

Cces. And then again, 

When we two fought in Spain. That was a fight, 
That last at Munda. Armed hand to hand. 
And foot to foot. 'Twas Roman then to Roman ! 
Ah, Ave have seen great deeds, we two, together. 
Strange how my mind doth wander off of late. 
To the old days — our victories, and reverses. 
For Fortune wills, my friend, like a coy maid. 
To hide herself at times from ev'n her lovers ; 
To be won back by importunities, 



c^sak; a deamatic study. 69 

And make her doubly sweet. 

But thou cam'st, Decimus, 
To take me to the Senate. I would go, 
Only I promised my Calpurnia 
To bide at home to-day. She had a dream 
That moYed her much last night. 

Dec. That is a pity ! 

For 'tis arranged to take a final vote 
On thy new laws to-day ; — the laws to drain 
The Pontine Marshes, and improve the Tiber. 
If thou'rt not there, I fear the laws may fail. 
But 'tis the way o' the w^orld. A woman's dream 
Often has swayed far greater plans than these. 
What must be must. And yet one little hour 
Would serve to work no common good to Rome. 

Cws. When I decided, I knew not my laws 
Were now before the Senate. Else I had 
Come to a different judgment. When Duty calls, 
'Tis Caesar's part to go ; nor ask what dreams, 
Dangers, or omens seek to bar the way. 

Cor. I thought it settled that thou wouldst not go. 
Calpurnia thought so. Were it not then well 
To beg the Senate to postpone their vote 
Until to-morrow? 

Dec. 'Twere an unwise move. 

'Twould cause dissatisfaction ; no good reason 
For Caesar's absence given. 

Cces. Peace, good friends I 

When I resolved to stay, I did not know 
There were such weighty reasons for my going. 
If dangerous to-day, why not to-morrow ? 
Cornelius, tell my vfife Calpurnia — ■ 
Nay ! it is best that thou shouldst hold thy peace, 
And tell her nothing. It will save her pain. 
In a few hours I shall again return, 
If 't please the gracious gods, before she knows 
I have been absent. Come, good Decimus ! 
Cornelius, a few words with thee, my friend. 

{Exeunt C^sar and Cornelius.) 

Dee. So goes the lion where the hunters lie ! 
Caesar, the hour has come that thou must die ! 
I am a villain, and I know it well ; 
But I'll be first in Rome, if lowest in hell ! {Exit Decimus.) 



70 c^sar; a dramatic study. 

Scene III. — Pompey's Portico, ivith Statue of Pompey. 

Cicero and Senators at bach of stage, seated. Brutus, 
Cassius, Casca and Cimber in front. 

Bru. {To Cass.) Perhaps he will not come. Where's 
Decimus ? 

Cass. He's gone to bring him. 

Bru. Not an easy task, 

If Csesar wills to stay. And yet though rude 
At times to some, he's always kind to him — 
His old companion in so many wars. 

Cjiss. Oh, Caesar has his little weaknesses, 
Like other men. I knew a cunning lure 
AVould bring him here to-day. There are few locks 
That some key will not open. 

Bru. What lure was that ? 

Cass. The story that the Senate's now to vote 
On his new laws. 

Bru. But, as it is not so, 

He'll find he's been deceived — and know at once 
Some mischief is intended. 

Cass. We must strike 

Therefore at once. Cimber, thou know'st thy part ? 

(7m. I'll anger him, and then will pull his gown 
From off his shoulder. Casca then will strike. 

Cass. Thou wilt not fear him, Casca ? 

Casca. No, not I ! 

I killed a lion once with one sharp thrust. 

Cass. Well, think he is a lion, and strike home. 
Avoid his eyes, though. 

Casca, Oh, I'll strike him quick, 

And from behind. He'll turn, you know, on Cimber, 
And then I'll strike him. 

Cass. And then all must strike. 

Thou wilt not fail us, Brutus ? Every steel 
Must redden with his blood, to show that all 
Have taken part in this. 

Bru. I will not fail. 

Brutus shall do his part in freeing Eome, 
Whate'er the end may be. 

Cass. Hush ! here he comes ! 

Enter C^sar and Decimus. Senators rise from their 

seats. 



% 



c^sar; a dramatic study. 71 

Cces. Be seated, Senators ! [Comes forward.) 

Good morning, friends ! 
Brutus, tliou'rt well ? All, noble Cassius ! 
And Casca — and thou, Cimber. Hail to all ! 

{He takes his seat.) 

Cim. Hail, mighty Csesar ! I would ask a favor. 

Cois. Cimber, proceed ! If 'tis in Caesar's power, 
It shall be done. Does it concern Bithynia, 
Thy province ? 

Cim. I would once again implore. 

Oh, mighty Csesar, pardon for my brother ! 

Cobs. Cimber, thou vexest me I — to ask for that 
Which is not mine to give. Thy brother's deeds 
Were fitly punished with the avenging sword. 
Yet he is simply banished. Say no more. 
I will not hear thee. Hast thou not a province ? 
Surely, I have been generous to thee. 

Casca. I second noble Cimber, mighty Csesar ! 
Grant him his wish. I pray thee on my knees ! 

{He kneels.) 

Cces. Rise, Casca — you offend me ! Romans should 
Kneel only to the gods ! 

Cass. (Sneeringly.) Thou mak'st thyself 
Great as a god. Therefore men kneel to thee. 

Cces. {Indignant.) Cassius ! What meanest thou ? Such 
shameless words 
Are not to be o'erlooked. ( Ccesar rises.) 

Cim. Keep thou thy seat, 

Thou cruel tyrant ! 

(Cimber pulls back Cesar's robe off his shoulder.) 

Cces. What ! How dar'st thou, Cimber ? 

Casca. Down with the tyrant ! {Stabs Ccesar from behind.) 

Coes. {Seizes Casca' s arm.) Villain ! Thou shalt die ! 

Casca. {Frightened.) Help, brothers — help ! 

Cim. I'll die then too ! {He stabs.) 

CcBs. Oh, thou ungrateful wretch ! 

{Turns upon Cimber, who struggles with him.) 

Cass. I'll make another, Csesar ! ( Cass, stahs him.) 
Cces. Cassius — and thou ! 

This is thy thanks — because I spared thy life ; 



3:i3S(r 






72 CESAR; A DHAMATIC STUDY 



And made thee Praetor ; and then gave to thee 
A noble province ! 

(C^3AR stands as if faint from his wounds.) 
Cass. (To Bru.) Why stand'st thou aloof? 
Dost thou lorget thy promise? 

Bru. Die, tyrant ! Die ! 

{He stabs Ccesar.) 
Goes. {Starts — -and looks at Brutus.) And thou too, 
Brutus ! 

(C^SAR reels, and falls at base of Pompey^s statue.) 

Cass. He's dead! Yes, dead at murdered Pompey's feet. 
Great Pompey is avenged ! 

Bru. Now let us haste 

To take possession of the CapitoL 

Cass. And as we go, we'll cry, The Tyrant's dead ! 
And Rome is free ! Come, brave Conspirators ! 

JExeu7it Conspirators, flourishing their iveapons, and crying 
out "The Tyrant's dead!" " Eome is Free !" 

Senators run out alarmed before them, exeejjt Cicero, who 
hides behind a column — and then comes forward to body of 

Cjesar. 

Cic. Oh, mighty Julius ! liest thou here so still ! 
One hour ago thy forehead awed the world. 
The wide earth rocked beneath thee like a boat, 
When thou didst step from one side to the other. 
And now thou'rt g^one ! Where has thy spirit gone ? 

Sacu. {Outside.) Vengeance upon the murderers! Let 
us storm 
The Capitol ! Send word to Lepidus 
To bring the troops. Kill all ! 

Cit. {Outside.) Kill! kill the murderers! 

Cic. {Listening.) The mob is up I 

They howl like wolves upon a bloody track ! 
Thy spirit, mighty Csesar, rules us still ! 

End of Act V. 



0' 



